Journal Article

Therapeutic effects of Tetanus neurotoxin in spinal cord injury: a case series on four dogs

Deutschland Martin, Hesse, Stefan, Bryl Beatrice, Kutschenko Anna, Liebetanz, David

2020

Overview

Study designCase series on four dogs.ObjectivesTo determine the alleviation of motor symptoms in spinal cord injury (SCI) by tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT).SettingDifferent Berlin veterinary clinics, Germany.MethodsWe report on the effect of intramuscular injections of low-dose TeNT into paretic hind limb muscles 2–157 weeks after SCI due to lumbar disc herniation in a clinical case series on four dogs. All dogs underwent unsuccessful or incomplete surgical decompression prior to TeNT treatment. TeNT was injected on a compassionate basis. Stance, gait ability and the diameter of the rectus femoris muscle were assessed as parameters.ResultsAll four dogs improved their stance and three of these dogs improved in gait at 4 and 6 weeks after TeNT injections without evidence of side effects or spreading of TeNT effects. At the same time, the size of the rectus femoris muscle diameter increased considerably as compared with baseline (baseline: 100%; 4 weeks: 148.7% ± 10.9%; 6 weeks: 137.1% ± 7.9%).ConclusionsFacilitation of α-motor neurons by TeNT injections into paretic hind limb muscles of four dogs improved standing and/or gait abilities and partly reversed muscle atrophy after SCI. The absence of generalized or painful muscle spasms supports the safety of low-dose TeNT. Therefore, TeNT might evolve as a promising therapeutic option for muscle paresis of central origin, e.g. in individuals with SCI, stroke or multiple sclerosis.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Dogs / Muscle pain / Neurons / NMR / Nuclear magnetic resonance / Paralysis / Paresis / Proteins / Spinal cord injuries / Tetanus / Veterinary medicine / Veterinary services