Skilled Reach Training Induces Synaptogenesis on the Hippocampus after Left Hemorrhagic Stroke in Rats

[Purpose] The present study investigated the effect of upper limb skilled reach training in an experimental rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). [Subjects and Methods] Forty five male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to ICH. Then, animals were randomly selected for the control (CON), ipsilateral (IST), and contralateral (CST) groups and skilled reach training was conducted for 2 or 4 weeks after brain injury. Motor behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining analysis for evaluation of growth associated protein (GAP)-43 was used to assess synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. In addition, synaptic plasticity-related mRNA expressions were detected via RT-PCR. [Results] ICH-induced decrease of GAP-43 protein and synaptic plasticity-related mRNA expressions were recovered by skilled reach training in the IST and CST groups. Moreover, decreased ischemic volume and progressive neurobehavioral outcomes were observed in both the IST and CST groups. [Conclusion] In the rat model of ICH, skilled reach training promoted synaptic plasticity and cognitive function via increased GAP-43 protein and synaptic plasticity-related mRNA expressions.