title: Forelimb muscle plasticity following unilateral cervical spinal cord injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motor dysfunction and muscle atrophy are well documented in the lower extremity after spinal cord injury. However, the extent and time course of myoplastic changes in forelimb musculature is not clear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forelimb muscle morphology and fiber type were evaluated after high cervical hemilesion injury in rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant atrophy of the ipsilateral extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle at 2 weeks postinjury, which was subsequently reversed at 8 weeks postinjury. The triceps muscle showed minimal evidence of atrophy after spinal injury. No significant changes in fiber type were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate a robust capacity for spontaneous myoplasticity after C2 hemisection injury but highlight differential capacity for plasticity within the forelimb muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 South Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Elisa J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Rothi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 South Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 South Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cerreta
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 South Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Garrett M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Reier
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 South Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Judge
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100154, 100 South Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Fuller
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000473:pathology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: atrophy; forelimb muscle; myoplasticity; spinal cord injury; spontaneous recovery; upper extremity