Application of weak electric field to the hindpaw enhances sciatic motor nerve regeneration in the adult rat

Direct current (DC) electrical stimulation of the hindpaw is shown to enhance sciatic motor nerve regeneration in the adult rat. Cathodal stimulation, using weak currents (10 microA/cm2; field strength approximately 100 mV/cm) increased the reinnervation of the hindpaw muscles as measured by evoked electromyograms. This enhanced regeneration only occurred after cut-and-suture lesions, but not after crushing injury of the sciatic nerve. This enhancement of motor nerve regeneration by weak DC fields had been previously described in amphibians but we are the first to describe this phenomenon in mammals.