Lei Gaowei, Pang Zhen, Chen Yiming, Zhu Shuai, Wang Xiaomin, Liu Yuchen, Wang Huitao, Shen Yundong, Xu Wendong
Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Department of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Jing'an District Center Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Eur J Neurosci. 2025 Aug;62(3):e70208. doi: 10.1111/ejn.70208.
CC7 (contralateral cervical seventh nerve transfer) is an effective treatment for spastic hemiplegia caused by brain injury. After stroke, contralateral C7 nerve transfer facilitates the transmission of sensory information from the affected upper limb to the intact cerebral hemisphere. This process promotes cortical reorganization and ultimately enhances motor function recovery in the paralyzed limb. However, there is no effective method to accelerate motor function recovery and enhance sensory input following CC7 surgery. Electrical stimulation has been proposed as a valuable solution for nerve injuries, yet its effectiveness post-CC7 surgery remains unknown. In this study, we firstly investigated the potential of a wireless passive electrical (WPE) stimulation device in vivo as a rehabilitation approach. Subsequently, using the sciatic nerve model, we implanted the WPE electrodes to perform electrical stimulation and then evaluated nerve regeneration and motor function recovery using immunohistochemistry and behavioral analysis. Furthermore, we implanted the device in the transferred C7 nerve of CC7 mice and performed targeted electrical stimulation. We used immunofluorescence, electrophysiological, and behavioral assessments to explore the effects of repeated, targeted electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration, contralateral hemisphere remodeling, and motor function recovery in the paralyzed arm. The WPE stimulation protocol can effectively promote the regeneration of sensorimotor fibers after nerve repair. When applied to CC7 mice, it can accelerate the remodeling of the contralesional hemisphere by enhancing the ipsilateral sensory input and restore the impaired limb function. This stimulation modality can be considered a potential rehabilitation means to accelerate the efficacy of CC7 surgery.
CC7（对侧颈7神经移位术）是治疗脑损伤所致痉挛性偏瘫的一种有效方法。中风后，对侧C7神经移位有助于将患侧上肢的感觉信息传递至完整的大脑半球。这一过程促进皮质重组，并最终增强瘫痪肢体的运动功能恢复。然而，在CC7手术后，尚无加速运动功能恢复和增强感觉输入的有效方法。电刺激已被认为是治疗神经损伤的一种有效方法，但其在CC7手术后的有效性尚不清楚。在本研究中，我们首先在体内研究了无线无源电（WPE）刺激装置作为一种康复方法的潜力。随后，利用坐骨神经模型，植入WPE电极进行电刺激，然后通过免疫组织化学和行为分析评估神经再生和运动功能恢复情况。此外，我们将该装置植入CC7小鼠的移位C7神经中，进行靶向电刺激。我们使用免疫荧光、电生理和行为评估来探讨重复靶向电刺激对瘫痪手臂神经再生、对侧半球重塑和运动功能恢复的影响。WPE刺激方案可有效促进神经修复后感觉运动纤维的再生。应用于CC7小鼠时，它可通过增强同侧感觉输入加速对侧半球的重塑，并恢复受损肢体功能。这种刺激方式可被视为一种潜在的康复手段，以加速CC7手术的疗效。
