Serotonergic Response to Spinal Distraction Trauma in Experimental Scoliosis

Steven K. Salzman, Armando A. Mendez, Kirk W. Dabney, Joseph C. Daley, Gina M. Freeman, S. el-Tantawi, Alexander L. Beckman, William P. Bunnell

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Abstract

The effects of distraction injury to the spinal cord on serotonin (5HT) content and metabolism in a rat model of scoliosis were studied. Previous studies in this laboratory (Salzman et al., 1987a) have identified the 5HT response as a major component of the posttraumatic progression of spinal injury after impact trauma in the rabbit. The present study was designed to determine the universality of this response by examining a different model of injury in a different species. The results demonstrate that distraction trauma in the rat, like impact injury in the rabbit, is associated with a rapid and robust increase in the local spinal cord content and metabolism of 5HT and a long-term depletion of 5HT below the site of injury. The roles of the blood platelet and the raphe-spinal tract in the acute response and the disruption of axoplasmic transport during the chronic phase of injury are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)45-54
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Neurotrauma
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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