Objective      To explore the changes of cognition and emotion

morphological alteration of related brain regions

and the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress related molecules in rats after spinal cord injury. Methods      A total of 120 adult SD female rats were randomly divided into the injury group and the control group (n=60 for each group). Spinal cord injury model was established by inflicting T10 segment against 20 g×25 mm combat strength as Allen method

while the rats of control group only received laminectomy. Basso

Beattie

and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were used to observe the recovery of motor function after injury. The behavioral changes of rats were detected by Morris water maze and elevated plus maze test. The morphology of brain nerve cells and the density of dendritic spines were observed after the Nissl’s staining and FD staining. The expression of GRP78 and Caspase-12 protein in the hippocampus was detected by Western blotting. Results      In overhead cross maze

the entries into open arms were significantly reduced in the rats after injury (P0.05)

so was the number of the rats leaping over platform in the water maze test (P0.01). FD staining and Nissl’s staining displayed abnormal morphology and number of neurons in the cortex and hippocampus in rats after spinal cord injury

and the density of dendritic spines in the hippocampus was decreased (P0.05

P0.01). The results of Western blotting showed that endoplasmic reticulum stress related protein

GRP78WB

was up-regulated (P0.05). Conclusion      Spinal cord injury results in declines in continuous learning and memory abilities in adult rats

and anxiety is observed at the same time. It may be related to the impairment of the hippocampus and cortical areas in the hippocampus and cortex induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress after spinal cord injury.