Restorative neurology and neuroscience
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Effects of implantable peroneal nerve stimulation on gait quality, energy expenditure, participation and user satisfaction in patients with post-stroke drop foot using an ankle-foot orthosis.
To investigate whether an implantable functional electrical stimulation (FES) system of the common peroneal nerve (ActiGait®) improves relevant aspects of gait in chronic stroke patients with a drop foot typically using an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). ⋯ Implantable FES improved the use of residual ankle plantarflexion motion, ankle power of the paretic leg and step length symmetry compared to using an AFO, however, not resulting in decreased energy expenditure or improved participation. User satisfaction was highest with FES, but this was not related to the observed gait improvements.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Changes of voltage-gated sodium channels in sensory nerve regeneration and neuropathic pain models.
The present study was conducted to determine changes in the expression of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) α-subunits after nerve injury and their relation with development of neuropathic pain. ⋯ Shifts in VGSCs expression occur in parallel to neuropathic pain behavior in rats early after injury, while at later times they appear to be more related to sensory nerve degeneration and regeneration processes.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
The temporal expression patterns of fibronectin and its receptors-α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins on blood vessels after cerebral ischemia.
We previously demonstrated that 7 days post-ischemia, angiogenic vessels in the ischemic penumbra show strong upregulation of fibronectin (Fn) and its receptors, α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins. The aim of the current study was to precisely define the time-course of angiogenic responses and glial activation following experimental ischemia in the mouse. ⋯ Our results suggest that upregulation of the Fn-α5β1/αVβ3 integrin axis on blood vessels stimulates BEC proliferation at an early stage of angiogenesis post-ischemia. This could form the basis of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at promoting angiogenesis following cerebral ischemia.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialAnodal transcranial direct current stimulation of motor cortex does not ameliorate spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
To assess whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective in modulating lower limb spasticity in MS patients. Previously, anodal tDCS has been shown to improve motor deficits in several neurological diseases and, recently, it has been proposed as effective in decreasing spasticity after stroke. However, the effect of anodal tDCS on spasticity is not examined in MS. ⋯ Five-daily sessions of anodal tDCS to the primary motor cortex does do not improve lower limb spasticity in MS patients.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialStimulation targeting higher motor areas in stroke rehabilitation: A proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study of effectiveness and underlying mechanisms.
To demonstrate, in a proof-of-concept study, whether potentiating ipsilesional higher motor areas (premotor cortex and supplementary motor area) augments and accelerates recovery associated with constraint induced movement. ⋯ Our proof-of-concept study provides early evidence that stimulating higher motor areas can help recruit the contralesional hemisphere in an adaptive role in cases of greater ipsilesional injury. Whether this early evidence of promise translates to remarkable gains in functional recovery compared to existing approaches of stimulation remains to be confirmed in large-scale clinical studies that can reasonably dissociate stimulation of higher motor areas from that of the traditional primary motor cortices.