Korean J Pain.  2019 Jan;32(1):12-21. 10.3344/kjp.2019.32.1.12.

Animals models of spinal cord contusion injury

• Verma R
• Virdi JK
• Singh N
• Jaggi AS

• KMID: 2430759
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2019.32.1.12

Abstract

Spinal cord contusion injury is one of the most serious nervous system disorders, characterized by high morbidity and disability. To mimic spinal cord contusion in humans, various animal models of spinal contusion injury have been developed. These models have been developed in rats, mice, and monkeys. However, most of these models are developed using rats. Two types of animal models, i.e. bilateral contusion injury and unilateral contusion injury models, are developed using either a weight drop method or impactor method. In the weight drop method, a specific weight or a rod, having a specific weight and diameter, is dropped from a specific height on to the exposed spinal cord. Low intensity injury is produced by dropping a 5 g weight from a height of 8 cm, moderate injury by dropping 10 g weight from a height of 12.5-25 mm, and high intensity injury by dropping a 25 g weight from a height of 50 mm. In the impactor method, injury is produced through an impactor by delivering a specific force to the exposed spinal cord area. Mild injury is produced by delivering 100 ± 5 kdyn of force, moderate injury by delivering 200 ± 10 kdyn of force, and severe injury by delivering 300 ± 10 kdyn of force. The contusion injury produces a significant development of locomotor dysfunction, which is generally evident from the 0-14(th) day of surgery and is at its peak after the 28-56th day. The present review discusses different animal models of spinal contusion injury.

Keyword

Animal model; Body weight; Cervical vertebrae; Contusion; Locomotion; Nervous system diseases; Rats; Spinal cord injury

MeSH Terms

Animals*
Body Weight
Cervical Vertebrae
Contusions
Female
Haplorhini
Humans
Locomotion
Methods
Mice
Models, Animal
Nervous System Diseases
Rats
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*

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