Restorative neurology and neuroscience
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of single session bi-cephalic transcranial direct current stimulation on gait performance in sub-acute stroke: A pilot study.
Non-invasive brain stimulation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates cortical excitability and improves upper limb motor performance when applied to chronic stroke patients. The objective was to evaluate whether tDCS can influence gait function in sub-acute stroke patients. ⋯ This is the first study to examine the effects of tDCS on gait in stroke patients in the sub-acute stage. Active tDCS improved gait performance (Timed Up and Go) in stroke patients, despite no changes to limb biomechanics of the hemiparetic side (Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment), as compared to sham stimulation. These results suggest that tDCS could be used as a therapeutic adjunct for gait rehabilitation following stroke.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Altered expression of myelin-associated inhibitors and their receptors after traumatic brain injury in the mouse.
When central nervous system axons are injured, regeneration is partly inhibited by myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs). Following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the rat, pharmacological neutralisation of the MAIs Nogo-A and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) resulted in improved functional outcome. In contrast, genetic or pharmacological neutralization of the MAI receptors Nogo-66 receptor 1 (NgR1) or paired-immunoglobulin like receptor-B (PirB) showed an unaltered or impaired outcome following TBI in mice. The aim of the present study was thus to evaluate the MAI expression levels following TBI in mice. ⋯ These results suggest that early dynamic changes in MAI gene expression occur following TBI in the mouse, particularly in the hippocampus, which may play an inhibitory role for post-injury regeneration and plasticity.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
ReviewChronic neurodegenerative consequences of traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health concern and a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Each year, an estimated 1.7 million Americans sustain TBI of which ~52,000 people die, ~275,000 people are hospitalized and 1,365,000 people are treated as emergency outpatients. Currently there are ~5.3 million Americans living with TBI. ⋯ Single brain injury is linked to later development of symptoms resembling Alzheimer's disease while repetitive brain injuries are linked to later development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and/or Dementia Pugilistica (DP). Furthermore, genetic background of ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP), Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), presenilin (PS) and neprilysin (NEP) genes is associated with exacerbation of neurodegenerative process after TBI. This review encompasses acute effects and chronic neurodegenerative consequences after TBI.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on freezing of gait in patients with Parkinsonism.
The aim of this study was to investigate the site-specific effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with parkinsonism. ⋯ Use of 10 Hz rTMS on the M1-LL and DLPFC is therapeutically effective for FOG in patients with parkinsonism.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Combining enriched environment and induced pluripotent stem cell therapy results in improved cognitive and motor function following traumatic brain injury.
Despite advances towards potential clinically viable therapies there has been only limited success in improving functional recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In rats, exposure to an enriched environment (EE) improves learning and fosters motor skill development. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have been shown to survive transplantation and influence the recovery process. The current study evaluated EE and iPSC as a polytherapy for remediating cognitive deficits following medial frontal cortex (mFC) controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. ⋯ Overall, EE or iPSC therapy improved cognition and motor performance, however, full cognitive restoration was seen only with the EE/iPSC treatment. These data suggest that EE/iPSC therapy should be explored as a potential, clinically relevant, treatment for TBI.