Neurochemical correlates of spasticity

Abstract

Dogs were made paraplegic by complete mid-thoracic spinal cord transection. The content of glycine, glutamate, aspartate, and γ-aminobutyric acid were determined in ventral and central grey matter from the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord at 1, 3 and 8 weeks after transection. A rapid decrease in the content of aspartate and glycine accompanied the onset of spasticity. By the eight week post-transection, aspartate and glycine had decreased to less than 50% of control levels.