Author:
Hesse Stefan,Kutschenko Anna,Bryl Beatrice,Deutschland Martin,Liebetanz David
Abstract
Abstract
Study design
Case series on four dogs.
Objectives
To determine the alleviation of motor symptoms in spinal cord injury (SCI) by tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT).
Setting
Different Berlin veterinary clinics, Germany.
Methods
We report on the effect of intramuscular injections of low-dose TeNT into paretic hind limb muscles 2–157 weeks after SCI due to lumbar disc herniation in a clinical case series on four dogs. All dogs underwent unsuccessful or incomplete surgical decompression prior to TeNT treatment. TeNT was injected on a compassionate basis. Stance, gait ability and the diameter of the rectus femoris muscle were assessed as parameters.
Results
All four dogs improved their stance and three of these dogs improved in gait at 4 and 6 weeks after TeNT injections without evidence of side effects or spreading of TeNT effects. At the same time, the size of the rectus femoris muscle diameter increased considerably as compared with baseline (baseline: 100%; 4 weeks: 148.7% ± 10.9%; 6 weeks: 137.1% ± 7.9%).
Conclusions
Facilitation of α-motor neurons by TeNT injections into paretic hind limb muscles of four dogs improved standing and/or gait abilities and partly reversed muscle atrophy after SCI. The absence of generalized or painful muscle spasms supports the safety of low-dose TeNT. Therefore, TeNT might evolve as a promising therapeutic option for muscle paresis of central origin, e.g. in individuals with SCI, stroke or multiple sclerosis.
Funder
University Medical Centre Göttingen
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Cited by
3 articles.
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