Treadmill training effects on neurological outcome after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.
BACKGROUND
Treadmill training is used for promoting rhythmical vigorous walking and for task-related training in patients with stroke. The neurological impact of treadmill training has not been established. The present investigation is aimed at (1) examining neurological changes over a four-week period after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats and (2) assessing the impact of one-week, two-week and four-week treadmill training in MCAO rats.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60-minute right MCAO. All rats were randomly assigned to one of seven groups. Infarct volume and neurological score were measured.


RESULTS
Rats sacrificed 24 hours post MCAO had the largest infarct volumes (171.4 +/- 14.4 mm3) and the highest neurological score (median: 2, range: 1-3). We noted that without treadmill training, infarct sizes and neurological score diminished with time. Treadmill training for at least one week further reduced infarct volume and significantly improved neurologic function in MCAO rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Treadmill training after focal cerebral ischemia significantly improves neurological outcome in MCAO rats. Treadmill training may be beneficial for ischemic brain recovery.
Yang
Yea-Ru
YR
Faculty and Institute of Physical Therapy, National Yang-Ming University, Shih-Pai, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wang
Ray-Yau
RY
Wang
Paulus Shyi-Gang
PS
Yu
Shang-Ming
SM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009420:Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors