Open AccessBrain functional remodeling caused by sciatic nerve transposition repair in rats identified by multiple-model resting-state blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis
Author(s) -
Yifang Yuan,
Hailin Xu,
Zhongdi Liu,
Yuhui Kou,
Jin Bo,
Peixun Zhang
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
neural regeneration research/neural regeneration research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.93
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1876-7958
pISSN - 1673-5374
DOI - 10.4103/1673-5374.317991
Subject(s) - sciatic nerve , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , functional magnetic resonance imaging , anatomy , peripheral nerve injury , blood oxygen level dependent , anesthesia , radiology
Lower extremity nerve transposition repair has become an important treatment strategy for peripheral nerve injury; however, brain changes caused by this surgical procedure remain unclear. In this study, the distal stump of the right sciatic nerve in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury was connected to the proximal end of the left sciatic nerve using a chitin conduit. Neuroelectrophysiological test showed that the right lower limb displayed nerve conduction, and the structure of myelinated nerve fibers recovered greatly. Muscle wet weight of the anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius recovered as well. Multiple-model resting-state blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis revealed functional remodeling in multiple brain regions and the re-establishment of motor and sensory functions through a new reflex arc. These findings suggest that sciatic nerve transposition repair induces brain functional remodeling. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital on December 9, 2015 (approval No. 2015-50).