Axotomy and Regeneration of the Rat Facial Nerve: A Histomorphometric Study of the Facial Nucleus, Nerve and Orbicularis Oculi Muscle in an Experimental Model of Facial Paralysis

<p>One of the most unsettling sequela of facial paralysis (FP) is the loss of eye sphincter function and the blink response, leading to functional, psychological and aesthetic deficits. A medley of restorative microsurgery approaches have been employed in treating these deficits, however full recovery of function remains elusive. The present research utilized the rat model of facial paralysis, and consisted of three stages. Stage I examined the facial motor neuron (FMN) pool of the eye sphincter (orbicularis oculi muscle=OOM) and identified the facial nerve branch which provides the majority of innervation to the OOM. II. Examined the efficacy of the cross-facial nerve graft (CFNG) treatment of FP (behaviorally and histomorphometrically), III. Evaluated the efficacy of a dual treatment approach, by combining the CFNG and local administration via osmotic pump of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Results demonstrated that IGF-I (50 μg/ml) enhanced recovery of function, its time of onset, as well as the histomorphometric profile of the nerve graft. While results were encouraging, full recovery of function was not achieved with IGF-I. Further studies using different doses of IGF-I, as well as using multiple growth factors and nerve grafting are warranted.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

1997

Author dc:creator

• Thanos, Peter Konstantinos

Contributors dc:contributor

• Julie K. Terzis
• Keith A. Carson
• Francis J. Liuzzi
• Charles W. Morgan

• Insulin like growth factor
• Nerve grafting
• Neurology
• Surgery

Identifier

9780591623451

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:biomedicalsciences_etds-1083