Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2022, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (2): 418-426.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.317991

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Brain functional remodeling caused by sciatic nerve transposition repair in rats identified by multiple-model resting-state blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis

Yu-Song Yuan1, 2, 3, #, Hai-Lin Xu1, 3,  #, Zhong-Di Liu3, Yu-Hui Kou1, 2, 3, Bo Jin1, 2, 3, Pei-Xun Zhang1, 2, 3, *   

  1. 1Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China; 2Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; 3National Center for Trauma Medicine, Beijing, China
  • Online:2022-02-15 Published:2021-10-08
  • Contact: Pei-Xun Zhang, PhD, zhangpeixun@bjmu.edu.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. 31771322, 81671215 (to PXZ); the Beijing National Science Foundation, Nos. 7212121 (to PXZ); the National Key Research and Development Plan of China, No. 2018YFB1105504 (to PXZ); Shenzhen Science and Technology Plan Project, No. JCYJ20190806162205278 (to PXZ); Sanming Project, No. SZSM202011001 (to PXZ); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Clinical Medicine Plus X - Young Scholars Project of Peking University China, No. PKU2020LCXQ020 (to YHK); the Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), the Ministry of Education China, No. BMU2019XY007-01; and the Ministry of Education Innovation Program of China, No. IRT_16R01.

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Abstract: Lower extremity nerve transposition repair has become an important treatment strategy for peripheral nerve injury; however, brain changes caused by this surgical procedure remain unclear. In this study, the distal stump of the right sciatic nerve in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury was connected to the proximal end of the left sciatic nerve using a chitin conduit. Neuroelectrophysiological test showed that the right lower limb displayed nerve conduction, and the structure of myelinated nerve fibers recovered greatly. Muscle wet weight of the anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius recovered as well. Multiple-model resting-state blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis revealed functional remodeling in multiple brain regions and the re-establishment of motor and sensory functions through a new reflex arc. These findings suggest that sciatic nerve transposition repair induces brain functional remodeling. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University People’s Hospital on December 9, 2015 (approval No. 2015-50).

Key words: brain connectivity, brain network, fALFF, MRI, nerve transposition repair, peripheral nerve injury, ReHo, remodeling

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