Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by sensory, motor and autonomic deficits. Following a SCI, neuroplasticity levels are increased in the entire central nervous system, which is associated with functional recovery in people with SCI. Several neuro-imaging techniques are used to visualize this neuroplasticity. However, in the studies conducted in humans to evaluate brain plasticity following SCI, the results are often contradictory. Therefore, our understanding of brain plasticity following SCI is still limited. Additionally, different types of therapy are being developed, including neuromodulation of specific spared pathways to improve functional recovery of patients. However, the location of brain stimulation is often hypothesis based. So, in this project I will develop in-vivo brain imaging methods to visualize functional and structural brain plasticity following SCI to identify potential targets for stimulation by using a rat model of SCI. Afterwards, I will also assess if stimulation of these potential targets improves functional recovery in that same rat model. This project will give us essential information about the association between neuroplasticity in the brain and functional recovery. Because our methods are highly translatable to human patients, the identification of unique patterns of neuroplasticity in individual patients by using neuro-imaging methods will pave the way to a more personalized medicine for SCI patients.
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