z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Early movement restriction leads to enduring disorders in muscle and locomotion
Author(s) -
Delcour Maxime,
Massicotte Vicky S.,
Russier Michaël,
Bras Hélène,
Peyronnet Julie,
Canu MarieHélène,
Cayetanot Florence,
Barbe Mary F.,
Coq JacquesOlivier
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
brain pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.986
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1750-3639
pISSN - 1015-6305
DOI - 10.1111/bpa.12594
Subject(s) - physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , somatosensory system , gait , neuroscience , hyperreflexia , treadmill , spasticity , neuroplasticity , movement disorders , reflex , psychology , physical therapy , pathology , disease
Motor control and body representation in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as musculoskeletal architecture and physiology are shaped during development by sensorimotor experience and feedback, but the emergence of locomotor disorders during maturation and their persistence over time remain a matter of debate in the absence of brain damage. By using transient immobilization of the hind limbs, we investigated the enduring impact of postnatal sensorimotor restriction (SMR) on gait and posture on treadmill, age‐related changes in locomotion, musculoskeletal histopathology and Hoffmann reflex in adult rats without brain damage. SMR degrades most gait parameters and induces overextended knees and ankles, leading to digitigrade locomotion that resembles equinus. Based on variations in gait parameters, SMR appears to alter age‐dependent plasticity of treadmill locomotion. SMR also leads to small but significantly decreased tibial bone length, chondromalacia, degenerative changes in the knee joint, gastrocnemius myofiber atrophy and muscle hyperreflexia, suggestive of spasticity. We showed that reduced and atypical patterns of motor outputs, and somatosensory inputs and feedback to the immature CNS, even in the absence of perinatal brain damage, play a pivotal role in the emergence of movement disorders and musculoskeletal pathologies, and in their persistence over time. Understanding how atypical sensorimotor development likely contributes to these degradations may guide effective rehabilitation treatments in children with either acquired (ie, with brain damage) or developmental (ie, without brain injury) motor disabilities.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here