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Abstract #5366

fMRI detection of neuromodulation induced neuroplasticity after spinal cord injury

Vijai Krishnan1,2, Anna Schwartz1, William Stokes1, Jeff W.M. Bulte2, Jineta Banerjee2, Aline Thomas2, Pablo Celnik3, and Galit Pelled1,2

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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