FIGURE 1.

Electrical stimulation and exercise promote axon regeneration in cut peripheral nerves

The common fibular nerves of mice were cut and repaired by end-to-end anastomosis. Lengths of profiles of regenerating axons were measured 2 wk later. Average median axon profile lengths (±SE) are shown for untrained mice, mice that were exercised for 1 h daily during the recovery period, and mice that were exposed to a single hour of electrical stimulation (ES) at the time of nerve repair. Note that both of these therapies result in enhancement of axon regeneration, but exercise is ∼50% more potent. Data from Refs. 24, 62.