Standardization of spinal cord injury (SCI) models is crucial for reproducible injury in research settings and their objective assessments. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring, the traditional behavioral evaluation method, is subjective and susceptible to human error. On the other hand, neuro-electrophysiological monitoring, such as somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP), is an objective assessment method that can be performed continuously for longitudinal studies. We implemented both SSEP and BBB assessments on transection SCI model. Five experimental groups are designed as follows: left hemi-transection at T8, right hemi-transection at T10, double hemi-transection at left T8 and right T10, complete transection at T8 and control group which receives only laminectomy with intact dura and no injury on spinal cord parenchyma. On days 4, 7, 14 and 21 post-injury, first BBB scores in awake and then SSEP signals in anesthetized rats were obtained. Our results show SSEP signals and BBB scores are both closely associated with transection model and injury progression. However, the two assessment modalities demonstrate different sensitivity in measuring injury progression when it comes to late-stage double hemi-transection, complete transection and hemi-transection injury. Furthermore, SSEP amplitudes are found to be distinct in different injury groups and the progress of their attenuation is increasingly rapid with more severe transection injuries. It is evident from our findings that SSEP and BBB methods provide distinctive and valuable information and could be complementary of each other. We propose incorporating both SSEP monitoring and conventional BBB scoring in SCI research to more effectively standardize injury progression.

中文翻译：

---

通过监测体感诱发电位和运动行为来表征横断脊髓损伤。

脊髓损伤 (SCI) 模型的标准化对于研究环境中的可重复损伤及其客观评估至关重要。Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) 评分是传统的行为评估方法，具有主观性且易受人为错误影响。另一方面，神经电生理监测，如体感诱发电位 (SSEP)，是一种客观的评估方法，可以连续进行纵向研究。我们对横断 SCI 模型实施了 SSEP 和 BBB 评估。5个实验组设计如下：T8左半横断、T10右半横断、左T8右半横断、T8完全横断、仅接受椎板切除、硬脑膜完整无损伤的对照组在脊髓实质上。在第 4、7 天，受伤后 14 和 21 日，首先获得清醒时的 BBB 评分，然后获得麻醉大鼠的 SSEP 信号。我们的结果显示 SSEP 信号和 BBB 评分都与横断模型和损伤​​进展密切相关。然而，当涉及到晚期双半横断、完全横断和半横断损伤时，这两种评估方式在测量损伤进展方面表现出不同的敏感性。此外，发现不同损伤组的 SSEP 振幅不同，并且随着更严重的横断损伤，其衰减的进展越来越快。从我们的研究结果中可以明显看出，SSEP 和 BBB 方法提供了独特而有价值的信息，并且可以相互补充。