Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-TURK FIZYOTERAPI VE REHABILITASYON DERGISI, cilt.36, sa.3, ss.348-353, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Purpose: This study investigates the neuromuscular recovery process in aged rats following botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection, aiming to establish a reproducible animal model for studying spasticity and related neuromuscular disorders. Methods: Twelve aged male Wistar rats (22-24 months) received intramuscular BoNT-A injections (10 U/kg) into the gastrocnemius muscle of the left leg, with the right leg serving as a control. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes were recorded at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months post-injection using sciatic nerve electromyography. Statistical analyses assessed temporal variations in CMAP amplitudes and latencies. Results: Significant increases in CMAP amplitude were observed in the BoNT-A-treated left leg at 2 months compared to 1-week and 1-month measurements (p<0.05). No significant interactions were found between the left and right legs. Latency values showed a significant time-dependent increase in both legs (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that BoNT-A injection in aged rats effectively induces neuromuscular blockade with a measurable recovery trajectory, providing a potential model for studying age-related spasticity and therapeutic interventions.