Restorative neurology and neuroscience
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2013
Rescue of injured motoneurones by grafted neuroectodermal stem cells: effect of the location of graft.
Avulsion of one or more ventral roots from the spinal cord leads to the death of the majority of affected motoneurons. In this study we investigated whether immortalized clonal neuroectodermal stem cells applied to the injured cord in various ways impart neuroprotection on motoneurons otherwise destined to die. ⋯ This study provides evidence that neuroectodermal stem cell transplantation into the reimplanted ventral root induces as successful regeneration of injured motoneurons as stem cells grafted into the spinal cord.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2013
Plastic changes in lumbar segments after thoracic spinal cord injuries in adult rats: an integrative view of spinal nociceptive dysfunctions.
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) cause motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions as well as neuropathic pain. We investigated plastic changes occurring in cord segments caudal to the lesion to assess their potential contribution to pain states after SCI. ⋯ The existence of hyperalgesia despite the boost of inhibitory elements in the spinal cord confirms the dysbalance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms, leading to a general disinhibition. Widespread dysfunctions in remote segments after central injuries contribute to the appearance of pain, and they may be new targets for therapies aimed to modulate spinal dysfunctions after injury.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyCounteracting tinnitus by acoustic coordinated reset neuromodulation.
Subjective tinnitus is associated with pathologic enhanced neuronal synchronization. We used a model based desynchronization technique, acoustic coordinated reset (CR) neuromodulation, to specifically counteract tinnitus-related neuronal synchrony thereby inducing an unlearning of pathological synaptic connectivity and neuronal synchrony. ⋯ The CR-induced reduction of tinnitus and underlying neuronal characteristics indicates a new non-invasive therapy which might also be applicable to other conditions with neuronal hypersynchrony.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialThe impact of rhythm complexity on brain activation during simple singing: an event-related fMRI study.
Since rhythmical aspects of singing have been neglected up to now our objective was to investigate if it was possible to specify areas concerned with rhythm processing during simple singing. ⋯ Rhythm structure is a decisive factor concerning lateralization as well as activation of specific areas during simple singing. This finding suggests a directed use of the singing voice e.g., in order to support language rehabilitation in patients.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on post-stroke dysphagia.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with swallowing training might improve swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. We investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with swallowing training on post-stroke dysphagia. ⋯ Anodal tDCS applied over the affected pharyngeal motor cortex can enhance the outcome of swallowing training in post-stroke dysphagia. Our results suggest that non-invasive cortical stimulation has a potential role as an adjuvant strategy during swallowing training in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.