Our overall goal is to develop new strategies to enhance the recovery of upper-limb function after spinal cord injury (SCI). We propose to use modern electrophysiological methods to enhance the efficacy of residual corticospinal connections. Defining the neural basis by which corticospinal volleys generate muscle responses will provide crucial information required to maximize residual motor output. Our specific goals are to: 1) determine the temporal organization of corticospinal volleys and location of motor cortical representations of upper-limb muscles after incomplete cervical SCI and 2) develop methodologies to promote recovery of function. We focus on reach and grasp movements because of their importance in daily life activities. Multiple descending volleys in the corticospinal tract generate multiple peaks in muscle responses (indirect (I) - waves).
In Aim 1, paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to examine I-waves in surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings of upper-limb muscles during reach and grasp. The temporal organization of the early and late I-waves and contribution to voluntary EMG activity will be determined.
In Aim 2, the size (and location) of cortical maps of upper-limb muscles will be defined using TMS guided by a frameless magnetic resonance imaging neuronavigation system. Together, these studies in individuals with and without SCI will determine mechanisms of corticospinal reorganization during reach and grasp.
In Aim 3, we will use novel TMS paradigms to maximize the effectiveness of residual corticospinal connections by engaging mechanisms of corticospinal reorganization. Repeated paired-TMS will target functionally relevant I- wave intervals at affected motor cortical locations. Training of reach and grasp movements will be combined with paired-TMS-paradigms to further enhance behaviorally relevant plasticity and recovery of function. The proposed experiments will provide new knowledge on mechanisms of corticospinal reorganization involving reach and grasp movements which will be used to guide functionally-relevant plasticity-inducing protocols to enhance recovery. There are no universally accepted treatments for upper-limb motor disability after SCI and other CNS disorders that affect the corticospinal pathway. Current treatments for reach and grasp functions result in limited improvements. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop new strategies to promote recovery of meaningful function after SCI.

Public Health Relevance

The control of upper-limb movements is largely disrupted in individuals with cervical SCI. This project aims to develop new strategies to promote the recovery of reach and grasp movements, which are an essential aspect of our daily motor behaviors. Novel methods will be used to strengthen transmission in residual corticospinal projections and to enhance voluntary control of upper-limb muscles. Because deficits in voluntary control of upper-limb muscles and corticospinal transmission are a major problem after stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and other motor disorders, our work may also be relevant for patients with other lesions of the CNS.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS090622-01
Application #
8828399
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
2014-09-30
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2014-09-30
Budget End
2015-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Bunday, Karen L; Urbin, M A; Perez, Monica A (2018) Potentiating paired corticospinal-motoneuronal plasticity after spinal cord injury. Brain Stimul 11:1083-1092
Lei, Yuming; Ozdemir, Recep A; Perez, Monica A (2018) Gating of Sensory Input at Subcortical and Cortical Levels during Grasping in Humans. J Neurosci 38:7237-7247
Ozdemir, Recep A; Perez, Monica A (2018) Afferent input and sensory function after human spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 119:134-144
Christiansen, Lasse; Urbin, M A; Mitchell, Gordon S et al. (2018) Acute intermittent hypoxia enhances corticospinal synaptic plasticity in humans. Elife 7:
Christiansen, Lasse; Perez, Monica A (2018) Targeted-Plasticity in the Corticospinal Tract After Human Spinal Cord Injury. Neurotherapeutics 15:618-627
Chiou, Shin-Yi; Strutton, Paul H; Perez, Monica A (2018) Crossed Corticospinal Facilitation between Arm and Trunk Muscles in Humans. J Neurophysiol :
Lei, Yuming; Perez, Monica A (2018) Phase-dependent deficits during reach-to-grasp after human spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 119:251-261
Aguiar, Stefane A; Choudhury, Supriyo; Kumar, Hrishikesh et al. (2018) Effect of central lesions on a spinal circuit facilitating human wrist flexors. Sci Rep 8:14821
Federico, Paolo; Perez, Monica A (2017) Distinct Corticocortical Contributions to Human Precision and Power Grip. Cereb Cortex 27:5070-5082
Baker, Stuart N; Perez, Monica A (2017) Reticulospinal Contributions to Gross Hand Function after Human Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurosci 37:9778-9784

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