This thesis investigates the behavioural and anatomical correlates of recovery from motor cortex damage in rats. The effectiveness of behavioural, pharmacological, and regenerative treatments was investigated using models of focal stroke. Chronic bilateral motor deficits were found after motor cortex damage induced by various methods. These behavioural deficits were similar in severity and duration although they were correlated with different patterns of reorganization seen in Golgi-stained tissue. Animals with motor cortex injury benefited from postinjury olfactory stimulation, chronic administration of nicotine, and infusions of epidermal growth factor followed by erythroprotein. Different mechanisms of plasticity in remaining cortical circuits are discussed as possible candidates responsible for the behavioural improvement. The current thesis expands the current knowledge of the effects of adult cortical damage to ares critical to motor control. It may also stimulate research on therapies and possible mechanisms that might enhance recovery after stroke. / xviii, 299 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:ALU.w.uleth.ca/dspace#10133/15 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Gonzalez, Claudia L. R., University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science |
| Contributors | Kolb, Bryan |
| Publisher | Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2004, Arts and Science, Department of Neuroscience |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Relation | Thesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science) |
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