Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstructions of ( sup 14 C)-2-deoxy-D-glucose metabolism in cat lumbosacral spinal cord following cutaneous stimulation of the hindfoot
- UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ (USA)
We report on computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction of spinal cord activity associated with stimulation of the plantar cushion (PC) as revealed by (14C)-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) serial autoradiographs. Moderate PC stimulation in cats elicits a reflex phasic plantar flexion of the toes. Four cats were chronically spinalized at about T6 under barbiturate anesthesia. Four to 11 days later, the cats were injected (i.v.) with 2-DG (100 microCi/kg) and the PC was electrically stimulated with needle electrodes at 2-5 times threshold for eliciting a reflex. Following stimulation, the spinal cord was processed for autoradiography. Subsequently, autoradiographs, representing approximately 8-18 mm from spinal segments L6-S1, were digitized for computer analysis and 3-D reconstruction. Several strategies of analysis were employed: (1) Three-dimensional volume images were color-coded to represent different levels of functional activity. (2) On the reconstructed volumes, virtual sections were made in the horizontal, sagittal, and transverse planes to view regions of 2-DG activity. (3) In addition, we were able to sample different regions within the grey and white matter semi-quantitatively (i.e., pixel intensity) from section to section to reveal differences between ipsi- and contralateral activity, as well as possible variation between sections. These analyses revealed 2-DG activity associated with moderate PC stimulation, not only in the ipsilateral dorsal horn as we had previously demonstrated, but also in both the ipsilateral and contralateral ventral horns, as well as in the intermediate grey matter. The use of novel computer analysis techniques--combined with an unanesthetized preparation--enabled us to demonstrate that the increased metabolic activity in the lumbosacral spinal cord associated with PC stimulation was much more extensive than had heretofore been observed.
- OSTI ID:
- 5262814
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Comparative Neurology; (USA), Vol. 288:2; ISSN 0021-9967
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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GLUCOSE
METABOLISM
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CATS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ELECTRIC SHOCK
FEET
SPINAL CORD
ALDEHYDES
ANIMALS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CARBOHYDRATES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
HEXOSES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LEGS
LIMBS
MAMMALS
MONOSACCHARIDES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SACCHARIDES
SIMULATION
VERTEBRATES
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques