Usefulness of the tail-flick reflex in the prognosis of functional recovery in paraplegic rats

Abstract Background This study examines whether return of the TFR is predictive of locomotor recovery after complete SCI in rats. Methods We evaluated TFRs in 39 adult female rats. The spinal cords of rats were compressed at T9 with Yasargil clips. The TFR and BBB were performed on each rat after surgery, at 24 hours, on the fourth day, and weekly. Results On the first day, all of these 39 rats had a BBB score of 0. Of these, the TFR in response to tail pinch was present in 16 (41%) cases. Of the 16 rats, 12 (75%) showed a gradual increase in BBB scores during subsequent weeks. However, in the 23 animals in which the TFR was absent, none showed improvement in BBB score or return of hindlimb movements. Conclusions We conclude that after complete SCI, return of the TFR correlates strongly with return of motor activity.