Restorative neurology and neuroscience
-
Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2017
Comparative StudytDCS does not enhance the effects of robot-assisted gait training in patients with subacute stroke.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, which can modulate cortical excitability and combined with rehabilitation therapies may improve motor recovery after stroke. ⋯ Combined tDCS and robotic training is a safe and feasible procedure in subacute stroke patients. However, adding tDCS to robot-assisted gait training shows no benefit over robotic gait training alone.
-
Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2017
Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with visuo-motor training as treatment for chronic stroke patients.
Recent studies exploring the combined effect of motor learning and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for stroke rehabilitation have shown partially conflicting results. ⋯ Four-week visuo-motor training combined with tDCS showed no difference between the Active and Sham groups in the total UE FMA score, which may be explained by heterogeneity of the degree of recovery in the Active group. However, the shoulder-elbow FMA sub-score improved significantly more in the Active compared to the Sham group, which deserves further study.
-
Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2017
Motor cortex stimulation does not lead to functional recovery after experimental cortical injury in rats.
Motor impairments are among the major complications that develop after cortical damage caused by either stroke or traumatic brain injury. Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) can improve motor functions in animal models of stroke by inducing neuroplasticity. ⋯ The use of MCS as a standalone treatment did not improve motor impairments in a rat model of severe cortical damage using our specific treatment modalities.
-
Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2017
Diffuse traumatic brain injury in the mouse induces a transient proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in injured white matter tracts.
Injury to the white matter may lead to impaired neuronal signaling and is commonly observed following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although endogenous repair of TBI-induced white matter pathology is limited, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) may be stimulated to proliferate and regenerate functionally myelinating oligodendrocytes. Even though OPCs are present throughout the adult brain, little is known about their proliferative activity following axonal injury caused by TBI. ⋯ These results suggest that traumatic axonal injury in the mouse induces a transient proliferative response of residing OPCs. These proliferating OPCs may replace dead oligodendrocytes and contribute to remyelination, which needs evaluation in future studies.
-
Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyUse of melatonin versus valproic acid in prophylaxis of migraine patients: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.
Melatonin is known to be effective in curing migraine. ⋯ The adjuvant treatment with melatonin was found to be superior to the placebo and had the same clinical efficacy as sodium valproate, but with higher tolerability. Melatonin may prove to be an efficient substitute for sodium valproate, as a chronic migraine prophylaxis.