Neuroplasticity after experimental stroke

描述（由申请人提供）：中风仍然是美国长期残疾的主要原因。神经可塑性是中枢神经系统损伤后功能恢复的主要机制之一。由于神经网络具有高度可塑性，并随着活动而重组，因此神经网络水平的变化很可能是缺血相关功能缺陷和恢复的主要和基本方面的基础。约束诱导运动疗法（CIMT）是通过固定健康肢体来强制使用受损肢体，在一些慢性卒中患者中显示出增强运动功能恢复的希望，在增加海马灰质体积方面具有意想不到的益处。尽管CIMT后的无数后果已经得到了充分的证明，包括神经元萌发和突触形成的增强，运动输出的皮层表征的改善和对侧皮层兴奋性的降低，但网络水平的神经可塑性的变化和远端大脑区域功能的恢复尚未得到很好的理解。通过多学科的方法，本提案的主要目标将确定CIMT是否恢复新皮质-海马网络，增强海马神经发生和功能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability in the US. Neural plasticity is thought to be one of the major mechanisms underlying functional recovery after central nervous system CNS injury. Because neuronal networks are highly plastic and reorganize with activity, changes at the neuronal network level are very likely to underlie major and fundamental aspects of ischemia-related functional deficits and recovery. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), the forced use of the affected limb by immobilization of the healthy limb, has shown promise in enhancing motor function recovery in some chronic stroke patients, with unexpect benefit in increasing hippocampal gray matter volume. Despite a myriad of consequences following CIMT have been well documented, including enhanced neuronal sprouting and synapse formation, improved cortical representation of motor output and reduced excitability of contralateral cortex, changes in neuroplasticity at the network level and the restoration of function of remote brain regions are not well understood. With multidisciplinary approaches, the main goal of this proposal will determine whether CIMT restores neocortical-hippocampal network, enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and function.