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The use of brief post‐surgical low frequency electrical stimulation to enhance nerve regeneration in clinical practice
Author(s) -
Chan K. M.,
Curran M. W. T.,
Gordon T.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jp270892
Subject(s) - reinnervation , regeneration (biology) , medicine , stimulation , peripheral nerve injury , axon , neurotrophic factors , nerve repair , peripheral nerve , neuroscience , surgery , anesthesia , anatomy , biology , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology
Despite efforts to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration, there has been little progress in improving clinical outcomes. Recently, a method of brief post‐surgical low frequency electrical stimulation of surgically repaired nerves has been developed. It was shown to accelerate axon outgrowth across the repair site and it hastened target reinnervation. In this brief review, we describe the mechanistic insights and functional impacts of the post‐surgical electrical stimulation that have been gained through animal studies. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, cyclic AMP and regeneration‐associated genes play a vital role in expediting the outgrowth of axons across the injury site. The method of stimulation has also been shown to be effective in patients with severe compressive neuropathy as well as those with digital nerve laceration. Its clinical feasibility and positive impact open the door of further clinical translation in other peripheral nerve injuries.