Marie-Pascale Cote

Our research focuses on plasticity of the spinal networks after spinal cord injury (SCI). We are particularly interested in the modifications that lead to impairment of motor function following SCI and activity-dependent mechanisms that assist in motor recovery. Activity-based therapies such as treadmill or bicycle training are routinely integrated into rehabilitation programs in the clinic to induce repetitive activation of neural networks that facilitate locomotor recovery and decrease spasticity after SCI. The addition of stimulation-based therapies to motor training, whether delivered epidurally or transcutaneously, similarly activate spinal networks and further foster recovery after SCI. The objective of our research is to investigate how motor activity and/or spinal cord stimulation contributes to functional recovery after SCI by probing pathways of interest. A better understanding of the mechanisms at play is crucial for the design of optimized rehabilitation strategies after SCI.