Premium
Operant conditioning of spinal reflexes to improve function recovery after CNS damage
Author(s) -
Thompson Aiko Kido
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.448.3
Subject(s) - neuroscience , reflex , spinal cord , conditioning , spinal cord injury , sensory system , neuroplasticity , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , statistics , mathematics
The elicitation of spinal reflexes, which has traditionally been used to monitor basic motor and sensory functions, is now finding uses for modifying CNS pathways and thereby restoring more effective function after spinal cord injuries and in other disorders. Reflex conditioning protocols can changes the simple pathways that are responsible for these reflexes. These changes reflect multi‐site anatomical and physiological plasticity. Because these simple pathways are also important for complex motor skills such as locomotion, modifications in them also affect important skills. Reflex conditioning protocols can be designed to target each person's particular deficits and can thereby supplement traditional rehabilitation methods.