Delayed viral vector mediated delivery of neurotrophin-3 improves skilled hindlimb placement on the horizontal ladder, hindlimb coordination during swimming, and stability walking in the open field after T9 thoracic contusion in female rats

We have investigated whether targeted delivery of NT3 to lumbar and thoracic motor neurons 48 hours following a severe T9 contusive injury aids locomotive recovery in rats. AAV1-NT3 was injected bilaterally into the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and rectus abdominus muscles 48-hours following trauma. We assessed locomotor recovery in the open-field, horizontal ladder, and swimming, electrophysiology, lesion volumetrics through MRI and histology.