title: Motor recovery and cortical plasticity after functional electrical stimulation in a rat model of focal stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the functional responses and plastic cortical changes in a sample of animals with sequelae of cerebral ischemia that were subjected to a model of functional electrical stimulation (FES).
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats received an ischemic cortical lesion (Rose Bengal method) and were randomized and submitted to an FES stimulation (1-2 mA, 30 Hz, 20-40 mins for 14 days) or sham stimulation. The Foot Fault Test was performed before inducing the cortical lesion and also before and after FES. Brain immunochemistry labeling with microtubule-associated protein-2 and neurofilament-200 markers was performed after FES.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors found a decreased percentage of errors in the Foot Fault Test (P < 0.001) in the stimulated group compared with the sham group after FES. FES has not altered the lesion size. Spontaneous motor parameters returned to basal values in both groups. The qualitative analysis showed an increased amount of radial microtubule-associated protein-2 immunoreactive fibers in the preserved cortex adjacent to stroke site in the stimulated animals. Regarding the measurements of neurofilament-200 immunostaining, there were no differences between the hemispheres or groups in area or intensity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute and short period of FES led to motor recovery of ankle joint neurodisability. The extent to which compensatory plasticity occurs after stroke or after FES and the extent to which it contributes to functional recovery are yet unclear. The changes induced by the stimulation may improve the ability of the nervous system to undergo spontaneous recovery, which is of substantial interest for neurorehabilitation strategies.
authors.affiliation: From the Neuroregeneration Center, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. The present affiliation of Rebeca Boltes Cecatto is Rehabilitation Service of Institute of Cancer of São Paulo, São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rebeca Boltes
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Cecatto
authors.forename: Jessica Ruivo
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Maximino
authors.forename: Gerson
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chadi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation