Effect of Rehabilitation on Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells in a Mouse Model of White Matter Stroke

Your doctor should be able to translate this into a stroke protocol. I don't give a shit that this was just done in mice, What is the downside?
http://www.neurology.org/content/86/16_Supplement/P5.224.short

1. Candace Borders₂,
2. Kwan Ng₃ and
3. S. Carmichael₁

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1. Published online before print April 8, 2015, Neurology April 5, 2016 vol. 86 no. 16 Supplement P5.224

• Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of rehabilitation on oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) activity and neural repair in a mouse model of white matter stroke (WMS). Background: Physical activity has profound effects on white matter function. In humans, exercise mitigates the effect of progressive WMS on gait. Moreover, constraint-induced repeated use of the affected arm in both stroke patients and animal models enhances recovery. OPCs, which can mature into myelinating oligodendrocytes, are potential mediators of white matter repair. OPC proliferation and myelination in rodent cortex are promoted by neuronal activity and environmental stimulation. However, the effects of a specific motor task (like those performed by post-stroke patients in rehabilitation) in WMS have not yet been studied. Here we evaluated the effect of a skilled reach task on OPC activity in WMS. Methods: Three- and 20-month-old mice were trained on a skilled reach task for three weeks. WMS was then induced in the subcortical white matter underlying the motor cortex contralateral to the trained limb via injection of a vasoconstrictor. Mice were then divided into two groups: three weeks of continued reach task (to model the skilled limb use employed in human neurorehabilitation), or no reach task. Functional recovery of the mice was quantified with a skilled forelimb eating task. Brain tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Results: Relative to mice receiving no post-stroke rehabilitation, the skilled reach mice show greater numbers of OPCs in subcortical white matter. The effect is more pronounced for 3-month-old mice compared to 20-month-old mice. Lineage tracing via immunohistochemistry suggests OPCs in the skilled reach group have increased potential to develop into mature oligodendrocytes. Conclusions: Rehabilitation with skilled reach after WMS in this mouse model potentiates two critical components of white matter repair: the number of OPCs, as well as their ability to mature.