title: Does induction of plastic change in motor cortex improve leg function after stroke?
abstract: Combined peripheral nerve and brain stimulation ("dual stimulation") induces changes in the excitability of normal motor cortex. The authors sought to establish whether dual stimulation would also induce motor cortex plasticity and associated functional improvements in nine stroke patients with chronic stable hemiparesis. Following 4 weeks of daily dual stimulation, improvements were seen in some neurophysiological and functional measures. This technique may offer therapeutic opportunities in some stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uy
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ridding
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hillier
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Miles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008280:Magnetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011930:Reaction Time; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome