Post-infarct cortical plasticity and behavioral recovery using concurrent cortical stimulation and rehabilitative training: a feasibility study in primates.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Plautz E, Barbay S, Frost S, Friel K, Dancause N, Zoubina E, Stowe A, Quaney B, Nudo R |
| Journal | Neurol Res |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Pagination | 801-10 |
| Date Published | 12/01/2003 |
| ISSN | 0161-6412 |
| Keywords | Cerebral Infarction, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Physical Conditioning, Animal, Recovery of Function |
| Abstract | Stroke is often characterized by incomplete recovery and chronic motor impairments. A nonhuman primate model of cortical ischemia was used to evaluate the feasibility of using device-assisted cortical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training to enhance behavioral recovery and cortical plasticity. Following pre-infarct training on a unimanual motor task, maps of movement representations in primary motor cortex were derived. Then, an ischemic infarct was produced which destroyed the hand representation. Several weeks later, a second cortical map was derived to guide implantation of a surface electrode over peri-infarct motor cortex. After several months of spontaneous recovery, monkeys underwent subthreshold electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training for several weeks. Post-therapy behavioral performance was tracked for several additional months. A third cortical map was derived several weeks post-therapy to examine changes in motor representations. Monkeys showed significant improvements in motor performance (success, speed, and efficiency) following therapy, which persisted for several months. Cortical mapping revealed large-scale emergence of new hand representations in peri-infarct motor cortex, primarily in cortical tissue underlying the electrode. Results support the feasibility of using a therapy approach combining peri-infarct electrical stimulation with rehabilitative training to alleviate chronic motor deficits and promote recovery from cortical ischemic injury. |
| DOI | 10.1179/016164103771953880 |
| PubMed ID | 14669522 |