0000000000237554
AUTHOR
Alessio Vincenzo Mariolo
Validity and reliability of the CatWalk system as a static and dynamic gait analysis tool for the assessment of functional nerve recovery in small animal models
Introduction: A range of behavioral testing paradigms have been developed for the research of central and peripheral nerve injuries with the help of small animal models. Following any nerve repair strategy, improved functional outcome may be the most important evidence of axon regeneration. A novel automated gait analysis system, the CatWalk™, can measure dynamic as well as static gait patterns of small animals. Of most interest in detecting functional recovery are in particular dynamic gait parameters, coordination measures, and the intensity of the animals paw prints. This article is designed to lead to a more efficient choice of CatWalk parameters in future studies concerning the functio…
Clinical neurophysiology and imaging of nerve injuries: preoperative diagnostic work-up and postoperative monitoring
Peripheral nerve injuries are a heterogeneous group of lesions that may occurs secondary to various causes. Several different classifications have been used to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the clinical deficit, from simple and reversible compression-induced demyelination, to complete transection of nerve axons. Neurophysiological data localize, quantify, and qualify (demyelination vs . axonal loss) the clinical and subclinical deficits. High-resolution ultrasound can demonstrate the morphological extent of nerve damage, fascicular echotexture (epineurium vs . perineurium, focal alteration of the cross-section of the nerve, any neuromas, etc. ), and the surrounding t…
Seeding nerve sutures with minced nerve-graft (MINE-G): a simple method to improve nerve regeneration in rats
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of seeding the distal nerve suture with nerve fragments in rats. Methods: On 20 rats, a 15 mm sciatic nerve defect was reconstructed with a nerve autograft. In the Study Group (10 rats), a minced 1 mm nerve segment was seeded around the nerve suture. In the Control Group (10 rats), a nerve graft alone was used. At 4 and 12 weeks, a walking track analysis with open field test (WTA), hystomorphometry (number of myelinated fibers (n), fiber density (FD) and fiber area (FA) and soleus and gastrocnemius muscle weight ratios (MWR) were evaluated. The Student t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: At 4 and 12 weeks the Study Gr…