Effects of Ia inhibition on spasticity after central nervous system injury

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11260
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Lee Sachiko 名古屋大学, 医学系研究科(保健), 准教授 (80599316)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 痙縮 / Ia線維 / PLD-mGluR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, we confirmed the effect of Ia activity inhibition on spasticity. Spasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI) was assessed using rate dependent depression (RDD) of H-reflex. The mice of drug administration were confirmed to improve the RDD of H-reflex compared to vehicle mice. In other words, it was confirmed that spasticity was reduced. Next, one of the pathologies of spasticity is known to result from maladaptive changes in spinal neuronal circuits. One of these is the excessive connection of Ia-alpha motor neurons. In this study, Inhibition of Ia activity was observed to normalize this excessive number of connections. These results could lead to the development of new treatments for spasticity.

Free Research Field

神経リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在の痙縮治療は、慢性化した痙縮骨格筋の二次的障害である拘縮や痛みに対して、過剰な筋収縮を抑制することで治療する。筋収縮の抑制と行うため、痙縮骨格筋の筋機能、つまり運動機能を改善させることは治療目的に入っていない。本研究は痙縮発症早期に、これまで治療ターゲットとなっていなかったIa線維の活動を抑制することで痙縮の軽減を目指した。我々は早期に痙縮治療を行うことで、運動機能の改善をも目指した投薬とリハビリテーションの併用治療を目指している。本研究の成果は、新な痙縮治療の開発につながる研究である。