Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound modifies effects of a myelin-related growth inhibitor and enhances neurite re-growth

Axon regeneration is crucial for the functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Myelin-related growth inhibitors, such as Nogo-A, inhibit neurites regrowth and elongation. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is known to show neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of LIPUS for enhancing axon regeneration in the presence of Nogo-A. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound was exposed to rat cortical neurons in vitro after Nogo-A treatment. The total length of neurites per cell in LIPUS group was significantly larger than that of non-LIPUS group. There was no significant difference in the number of neurites. The results suggest that LIPUS may enhance the elongation of neurites in the presence of Nogo-A while may not affect on neurites sprouting and branching. This preliminary study implies the feasibility of LIPUS for axonal regeneration.