Chronically Recorded Spinal ECAP Thresholds in Rats in the Spared Nerve Injury Model
Major
Neuroscience
Second Major
Psychology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Neuroscience
Faculty Advisor
Joe Williams
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-13-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
4-13-2024 12:30 PM
Abstract
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain management therapy that involves an oscillating electric field (40–50 Hz) being applied to the spinal cord through an electrode array implanted in the epidural area. Additionally, SCS produces bioelectric signals from spinal-evoked compound action potential (ECAP), resulting from the firing of nerve fibers. Intertwining ECAP-detection and SCS animal models of pain is significant. However, initial studies have shown an absence of pain models within the implementation of ECAP-based closed-loop systems in animals. For this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were used due to strong similarities in the human nervous system. Once the animals were acclimated, stimulating electrodes were implanted onto their spinal cord, and then initial recordings of eCAPs and visual motor thresholds (VMTs) took place. One day after the implant, recordings were collected while animals were awake. Recordings were taken while the animal was restrained. Seven days after the implant, half of the animals underwent the SNI pain model, while the other half were used as a control. ECAPs and VMTs were then recorded after SNI induction, with recordings occurring twice a day. Animals also underwent behavioral recordings with von Frey filaments to test their paw withdrawal threshold 5 days after the SNI induction. These recordings took place for thirty-six days. The goal is to see if VMTs are just as effective as perceptual measurements on evaluating how effective SCS is for patients. Results have yet to be determined and will be discussed in the future.
Chronically Recorded Spinal ECAP Thresholds in Rats in the Spared Nerve Injury Model
CNS Atrium
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a pain management therapy that involves an oscillating electric field (40–50 Hz) being applied to the spinal cord through an electrode array implanted in the epidural area. Additionally, SCS produces bioelectric signals from spinal-evoked compound action potential (ECAP), resulting from the firing of nerve fibers. Intertwining ECAP-detection and SCS animal models of pain is significant. However, initial studies have shown an absence of pain models within the implementation of ECAP-based closed-loop systems in animals. For this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were used due to strong similarities in the human nervous system. Once the animals were acclimated, stimulating electrodes were implanted onto their spinal cord, and then initial recordings of eCAPs and visual motor thresholds (VMTs) took place. One day after the implant, recordings were collected while animals were awake. Recordings were taken while the animal was restrained. Seven days after the implant, half of the animals underwent the SNI pain model, while the other half were used as a control. ECAPs and VMTs were then recorded after SNI induction, with recordings occurring twice a day. Animals also underwent behavioral recordings with von Frey filaments to test their paw withdrawal threshold 5 days after the SNI induction. These recordings took place for thirty-six days. The goal is to see if VMTs are just as effective as perceptual measurements on evaluating how effective SCS is for patients. Results have yet to be determined and will be discussed in the future.