Abstract #5366

fMRI detection of neuromodulation induced neuroplasticity after spinal cord injury

Vijai Krishnan^1,2, Anna Schwartz¹, William Stokes¹, Jeff W.M. Bulte², Jineta Banerjee², Aline Thomas², Pablo Celnik³, and Galit Pelled^1,2

¹F.M. Kirby Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States, ²Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States, ³Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, United States

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to severe motor and sensory deficits. New advances in non-invasive neuromodulation technologies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have shown promise in facilitating recovery following brain injuries. Here we tested whether TMS therapy can be developed as a rehabilitative approach in a rat model of SCI. High-resolution functional MRI (fMRI) at 11.7 T was used to detect cortical activity associated with post-injury neuroplasticity. A battery of behavioral tests was used to monitor gross changes in motor behavior. Our results demonstrate that TMS therapy is beneficial in improving post-SCI functional outcomes.

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