Plasticity of the Rat Sensory Cortex at 9.4T Demonstrated in a Survival Model of Brachial Plexus Injury and Repair with Contralateral C7 Nerve Transfer

Nicholas A. Flugstad¹, Jack B. Stephenson¹, Rupeng Li², Ji-Geng Yan¹, Christopher Pawela², Hani S. Matloub¹, James S. Hyde²

9.4T fMRI was done in a controlled rat survival model after total brachial plexus avulsion and cross C7 nerve tranfer. fMRI scans at 0, 3, 5, and 7 months after repair demonstrated remodeling of the sensory cortex of the rat forepaw. Over time, the signal migrated from the ipsilateral sensory cortex to the contralateral sensory cortex. This represents trans-hemispheric cortical remodelling and restoration of native somatotopy. After cross C7 nerve trnsfer, the rat brain seems to be capable of higher level reorganization in order to restore sensory input to its native anatomical location in the cortex.