Logo image
Controlled Unilateral Isometric Force Generated by Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Rat Hindlimb
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Controlled Unilateral Isometric Force Generated by Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Rat Hindlimb

Jaimie B Dougherty, James M Goodman, Eric B Knudsen and Karen A Moxon
IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering, v 20(4), pp 549-556
Jul 2012
PMID: 22717526

Abstract

Brain-machine interface (BCI) Correlation Force Force measurement Minerals neural control Rats rehabilitative therapy Spinal cord spinal cord injury (SCI)
Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) has often been used to restore stereotypic locomotor movements after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, restoring freeform movement requires specific force generation and independently controlled limbs for changing environments. Therefore, a second stimulus location would be advantageous, controlling force separately from locomotor movements. In normal and transected rats treated with mineral oil or saline, EES was performed at L1-L6 vertebral levels, caudal to spinal segments typical for locomotion, identifying secondary sites capable of activating hindlimb musculature, producing unilateral force at the paw. Threshold for generating force was identified and stimulation amplitude and duration varied to assess effects on evoked forces. Stimulation at L2 and L3 vertebral levels elicited negative vertical forces from extensor musculature while stimulation at L4 and L5 elicited positive vertical forces from flexion musculature. Thresholds were unchanged with transection or hydration method. Peak force magnitude was significantly correlated to stimulus amplitude, and response duration significantly correlated to stimulus duration in all animals. No differences were found in correlation coefficients or slopes of the regression for force or duration analyses with spinal condition or hydration method. This model demonstrates the ability to induce controlled forces with EES after SCI.

Metrics

16 Record Views
3 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Biomedical
Rehabilitation
Logo image