Article

Electrical and magnetic brain stimulation can improve motor function
following stroke in humans, rats, and nonhuman primates, especially when paired
with rehabilitative training (RT). Previously, we found in rodent stroke models
that epidural electrical cortical stimulation (CS) of the ipsilesional motor
cortex (MC) combined with motor RT enhances motor function and motor cortical
plasticity. It was unknown whether CS following experimental traumatic brain
injury (TBI) would have similar effects. OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of CS
combined with motor training after moderate/severe TBI on behavioral outcome and
motor cortical organization. METHODS: Following unilateral controlled cortical
impact (CCI) over the caudal forelimb area of the MC in adult male rats, forelimb
reach training was administered daily for 9 weeks concurrently with subthreshold,
100-Hz monopolar CS or no-stimulation control procedures. The rate and magnitude
of behavioral improvements and changes in forelimb movement representations in
the injured MC as revealed by intracortical microstimulation were measured.
RESULTS: CCI resulted in severe motor impairments persisting throughout the 9
weeks of training in both groups, but CS-treated animals had significantly
greater behavioral improvements. CS also increased wrist motor cortical
representation, one of the main movements used in the training task, when
compared with RT alone. However, the overall recovery level was modest, leaving
animals still extremely impaired. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that CS may be
useful for improving rehabilitation efficacy after TBI but also raise the
possibility that the CS parameters that are highly effective following stroke are
suboptimal after moderate/severe TBI.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS