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Serotonin‐induced activation of the network for locomotion in adult spinal rats
Author(s) -
FeraboliLohnherr Delphine,
Barthe JeanYves,
Orsal Didier
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4547(19990101)55:1<87::aid-jnr10>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - quipazine , serotonergic , serotonin , spinal cord , paraplegia , central pattern generator , serotonin agonist , anesthesia , agonist , neuroscience , medicine , spinal cord injury , locomotor activity , psychology , receptor , rhythm
The biogenic amine serotonin has been described in the literature as a powerful modulator of the spinal central pattern generator for locomotion. In the present study, we tested whether administration of serotonin or its agonist quipazine could restore motor activity in a model of paraplegia. One to three weeks after a complete transection of the spinal cord at a low thoracic level, rats were given either intrathecal injections of serotonin (5 mM, 15 μL) or intraperitoneal injections of quipazine (400–600 μg/kg). Both treatments allowed recovery of locomotor activity on a treadmill in response to tail pinching. As compared with the activity elicited before treatment, the locomotor activity produced by spinal animals was characterised by longer locomotor sequences with a larger number of successive steps, better body support, better interlimb coordination, and a higher amplitude of electromyographic bursts. These results suggest that serotonergic drugs could be used for the recovery of motor functions after lesions of the spinal cord. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:87–98, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.