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  • Title: Oral administration of a tri-therapy for central pattern generator activation in paraplegic mice: proof-of-concept of efficacy.
    Author: Guertin PA, Ung RV, Rouleau P.
    Journal: Biotechnol J; 2010 Apr; 5(4):421-6. PubMed ID: 20349462.
    Abstract:
    Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological condition, for which no cure exists, typically leading to an immediate and irreversible loss of sensory and voluntary motor functions accompanied by significant health problems. We conducted proof-of-concept experiments aimed at assessing efficacy upon oral administration of a novel combination therapy for central pattern generator (CPG) activation and corresponding locomotor movement generation in completely paraplegic animals. Co-administration orally (by gavage) of buspirone, levodopa and carbidopa was found to dose-dependently induce episodes of steady weight-bearing stepping in low-thoracic (Th9/10) spinal cord-transected (Tx) mice (with no other form of assistance or training). Robust hindlimb stepping with weight-bearing capabilities was induced with the tri-therapy but not with clinically relevant doses of these compounds administered separately. These results provide evidence suggesting that this drug combination may be ideally suited to constitute a first-in-class therapy (CPG activator) for locomotor activity induction in chronic SCI individuals, given that efficacy was shown using commercially available brain-permeable small molecules, already known as safe for the treatment of various neurological indications.
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