Motor Recovery through Plasticity-Inducing Cortical Stimulation

中风后功能恢复有限仍然是数百万人的主要问题。残疾持续存在， 很多人，尤其是手功能受限的时候。现有的治疗方法是有限的，许多人有困难， 日常生活活动，即使在康复后。已经提出了对大脑的电刺激， 在早期研究中用于帮助恢复。在动物中，在精确的时间传递到大脑的刺激可以 提高刺激效果。通过在运动开始时刺激，或者在运动的另一部分之后刺激， 大脑活跃，恢复可能会增强。 我们将利用植入式脑刺激器技术的最新进展，在大脑上放置电线 在中风恢复期的患者中出现。我们会在治疗过程中刺激大脑。 中风区域附近的健康大脑区域将在大脑区域活动时受到刺激 中风这将使这两个领域加强联系，提高治疗效果。 我们将在这些不同的刺激模式之前和之后测量运动功能。这将建立 安全地进行这些实验的能力，并表明患者可以很好地忍受这些无痛 刺激会议。我们将观察大脑区域之间的连接强度并研究大脑 与运动功能相关的网络。我们相信，这些联系和网络将变得更加强大， 脑刺激如果成功，这项初步研究将为中风恢复提供一种新的治疗方法。

Limited recovery of function after stroke remains a major problem for millions. Disability persists in many, especially when hand function is limited. Existing therapies are limited and many have difficulties with activities of daily living, even after rehabilitation. Electrical stimulation of the brain has been proposed and used in early studies to try and aid recovery. In animals, stimulation delivered to the brain at precise times may improve the effect of stimulation. By stimulating at the beginning of movements, or just after another part of the brain is active, recovery may be enhanced. We will use recent advances in implanted brain stimulator technology to place wires on the brain surface in patients who are recovering from stroke. We will stimulate the brain during therapy sessions. Healthier brain regions near the stroke area will be stimulated at the time of activity of brain regions right over the stroke. This will allow the two areas to strengthen their connection and improve the effect of therapy. We will measure motor function before and after these different stimulation patterns. This will establish the ability to perform these experiments safely, and show that patients can tolerate well these painless stimulation sessions. We will look at the strength of connections between brain regions and study the brain networks related to motor function. We believe these connections and networks will become stronger with brain stimulation. If successful, this preliminary study would offer a new form of treatment for stroke recovery.