EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND FETAL SPINAL-CORD IMPLANTS ON THE H-REFLEX INCHRONICALLY SPINALIZED ADULT-RATS

This study investigated the modulation of hindlimb reflex excitability after transection of the spinal cord in adult rats. After transection , the H-reflex exhibited decreased depression at high stimulation freq uencies compared to intact animals. Groups of animals which received a spinal cord transection followed by either an exercise regimen for th e hindlimbs or a fetal spinal cord implant, showed high stimulation fr equency depression similar to controls. This suggests that each of the se palliative strategies helped to 'normalize' the excitability of spe cific spinal reflexes.