Reflex conditioning: a new strategy for improving motor function after spinal cord injury.
Spinal reflex conditioning changes reflex size, induces spinal cord plasticity, and modifies locomotion. Appropriate reflex conditioning can improve walking in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI). Reflex conditioning offers a new therapeutic strategy for restoring function in people with SCI. This approach can address the specific deficits of individuals with SCI by targeting specific reflex pathways for increased or decreased responsiveness. In addition, once clinically significant regeneration can be achieved, reflex conditioning could provide a means of reeducating the newly (and probably imperfectly) reconnected spinal cord.
Chen
Xiang Yang
XY
New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Albany, New York 12201-0509, USA. chenx@wadsworth.org
Chen
Yi
Y
Wang
Yu
Y
Thompson
Aiko
A
Carp
Jonathan S
JS
Segal
Richard L
RL
Wolpaw
Jonathan R
JR
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*