Abstract: To explore the changes of transcranial magnetic stimulation motor evoked potentials(TMSMEP) and spinal cord pathology in rabbit spinal cord injury, and to explore their correlation. MethodsA digital weight drop apparatus induced spinal cord lesion was performed to mimic human SCI. Based on the drop height, 32 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control, 2cm, 4cm and 6cm injured groups. TMSMEP was used to assess neurologic function. The MEP was recorded at 5min, 15min, 30min, 60min, 6h, 24h, 3d, 7d post-injury and before spinal cord injury in injury groups. Tarlov behaviour score was performed before and after surgery at 1, 3, 7 days. Light and electron microscope were used to observe the pathological changes. Results Spinal cord injury resulted in a gradual decrement in the peak latency and significant increment in the peak amplitude. Simultaneously, histological studies showed that the drop causes a ischemia lesion, which was found in human spinal cord injury. ConclusionTMSMEP has a significant association with spinal cord pathological changes and will be a noninvasive examination for spinal cord function.

Key words: Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Motor evoked potential, spinal cord injury, Pathology, Rabbits