Assessing Median Nerve Regeneration in Rodent Models– A Systematic Review

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI), particularly median nerve injuries, lead to significant motor and sensory impairments, affecting daily function and quality of life. Rodent models are extensively used for studying nerve regeneration due to their physiological similarity to humans. Accurate assessment of nerve regeneration is critical for evaluating therapeutic approaches, yet existing methods lack standardization and comprehensive analysis. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, searching databases including PubMed, Google scholar and science direct from 2013 to 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on studies using rodent models to investigate median nerve regeneration with surgical interventions and reporting functional, physiological, histomorphometry, or molecular outcomes. Out of 110 studies, 13 studies were selected and reviewed. The review identified various assessment techniques includes, Functional test evaluates motor and sensory recovery. Electrophysiological test measure nerve conduction velocity and muscle action potentials. Histological analyses examine nerve morphology, myelination, and axonal regeneration. Molecular methods assess gene expression and protein markers. A multimodal approach combining these methods provides the most comprehensive evaluation of nerve regeneration. This systematic review highlights the current state of median nerve regeneration in rodent models. The results suggest that rodent models are a valuable tool for studying nerve regeneration and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. However, there is a need for standardization in the methods used to assess nerve regeneration, as well as the reporting of study results.