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Serotonin release variations during recovery of motor function after a spinal cord injury in rats
Author(s) -
Gerin Christine G.,
Hill Angela,
Hill Seritta,
Smith Kristin,
Privat Alain
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
synapse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.809
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1098-2396
pISSN - 0887-4476
DOI - 10.1002/syn.20802
Subject(s) - serotonin , spinal cord injury , spinal cord , motor function , medicine , neuroscience , anesthesia , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , receptor
Current literature suggests that serotonin (5‐HT) release within the ventral horn of the spinal cord plays a role in motor function. We hypothesized that endogenous 5‐HT release is involved in the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. To appreciate the functional parameters of regenerating serotonergic fibers, a microdialysis probe was stereotactically implanted in the ventral horn of subhemi‐lesioned rats. Microdialysis in combination with HPLC was used to measure concentrations of 5‐HT in the lumbar ventral horn during periods of rest (90 min), treadmill run (60 min) and postexercise rest (90 min) for a 1‐month time period of recovery following the surgical lesion. Within the same period of time, 5‐HT levels varied significantly. A significant (202%) increase was observed at day 18 postlesion relative to day 8, and a 16.4% decrease was observed at day 34 relative to day 18. Treadmill exercise challenge induced a 10% decrease of 5‐HT release relative to rest at days 18 and 34. In conclusion, overtime treadmill locomotor recovery is parallel to amounts (rest basal levels) and patterns (exercise and postexercise levels) of 5‐HT release suggesting that changes in serotonergic system occurred within the same time frame than locomotor recovery using treadmill challenge. Synapse 64:855–861, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.