Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2014, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (2): 117-118.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.125338

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Spinal root avulsion: an excellent model for studying motoneuron degeneration and regeneration after severe axonal injury

Carolin Ruven1, Tak-Kwong Chan1, Wutian Wu1, 2   

  1. 1 Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; 2  GHM Institute of CNS regeneration, Jinan University and The University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2014-01-02 Online:2014-01-10 Published:2014-01-10
  • Contact: Wutian Wu, M.D., Professor, Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, wtwu@hku.hk.

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Abstract:

Spinal root avulsion is an excellent model for studying the response of motoneurons to severe injury to their axons. In this model (‘Avulsion Model’), spinal roots are torn off from spinal cord without removing the vertebra at different levels of spinal segments, usually at cervical and lumbar segments. Step-by-step procedures are described in detail elsewhere. The Avulsion Model resembles very well brachial plexus injuries in human beings. Around 70% of severe brachial plexus injuries in human involved avulsion of one or more roots and the main causes of traumatic brachial plexus injuries were motor vehicle accidents, sport injuries and difficult deliveries. The Avulsion Model involves injury to both central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) while nerve axotomy, transection and crush injuries only involve PNS.