Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and functional magnetic stimulation over spinal cord (SC-MS) on motor function recovery after spinal cord hemisection in rats. Methods T10 spinal cord hemisection model was made. The stimulation (5×10 s bursts of 5 Hz at 35% maximal stimulator output, each burst separated by a 2 m interval) was delivered daily, 5 d per week for 2 weeks. The treatment began at 4 d after surgery for rTMS group and SC-MS group. Motor function recovery was assessed with Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB) and the Horizontal Ladder test. The tibialis anterior was surgically removed at 38 d after spinal cord injury for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) iummunohistochemical staining. Results The scores of BBB and Horizontal Ladder test were significantly more at 17 d after spinal cord hemisection in rTMS group than before treatment and in spinal cord injury group (P<0.05). In SC-MS group, the scores of BBB and Horizontal Ladder Test were significantly more 10 d after SCI than before treatment and in SCI group (P<0.05). The score of Horizontal Ladder test of SC-MS group was more 10 d after SCI than that in the rTMS gourp (P<0.05). The expression of CGRP on motor endplates of the tibialis anterior in rTMS group and SC-MS group were more than those of SCI group (P<0.01). Conclusion rTMS and SC-MS in acute stage can improve the motor function recovery and muscle plasticity after spinal cord hemisection in rats. The magnetic stimulation can facilitate the recovery of motor function after spinal cord hemisection in rats.

Key words: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic stimulation over spinal cord, spinal cord hemisection, motor function, recovery, rats