Principal Investigators: Wendy M. Murray, PhD and Vincent R. Hentz, MD Project Staff: M. Elise Johanson, MS, PT; Kevin C. McGill, PhD; Zoia C. Lateva, PhD; and Niels Smaby, MS Project Category: Spinal Cord Injury - 2004 Objective: The aim of this proposal is to test the hypothesis that the effectiveness of transferred muscles is reduced from its pre-operative "ideal" because of changes in muscle architecture and limitations on muscle activation. In particular, this project was designed to test three specific hypotheses:
To test hypothesis 1, we propose to estimate muscle length and cross-sectional area from surface reconstructions of the muscle-tendon path obtained using T1-weighted, spin echo magnetic resonance imaging. For hypothesis 2, we will use a novel electrophysiological technique to estimate the locations of the motor endplates and muscle/tendon junctions by analyzing the motor-unit action potential waveforms recorded from different sites in the muscle in the same three groups of subjects. Finally, we will test hypothesis 3 by monitoring EMG activity in the transferred brachioradialis under conditions in which the elbow and wrist are stabilized by external supports, and in which they are not. The long-term goal of this work is to improve the clinical outcomes of surgical procedures to restore hand function. This project is scheduled to begin in FY 2005. Funding Source: VA RR&D Merit Review Funding Status: Active |
