Pharmacotherapy to Enhance Cognitive and Motor Recovery Following Stroke

Nonpharmacological Therapies for the Management of the Cognitive Dysfunctions in Poststroke Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to investigate the comparative effects of nonpharmacological therapies for managing global, attention, memory, and execution cognitive functions in stroke patients.

DESIGN

We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PEDro, and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of nonpharmacological therapies for treating stroke cognitive dysfunctions. We performed a network meta-analysis to estimate the mean treatment effect of 95% credible interval.

RESULTS

Seventy-three randomized controlled trials were included in the network meta-analysis for evidence syntheses. All therapies had significant effects than control on global cognition in stroke patients. Combined therapy was superior to other therapies for global cognition of all patients (vs. cognitive task therapy: 0.71, 95% credible interval = 0.14 to 1.29; vs. exercise: 0.88, 95% credible interval = 0.31 to 1.45, vs. physical modality therapy: 0.77, 95% credible interval = 0.16 to 1.40). Different therapies have effects on specific cognitive domains in stroke patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that nonpharmacological therapies are effective in improving global cognitive function in stroke patients, with cognitive task therapy, exercise therapy, physical modality therapy, and combined therapy being viable options (most optimal approach: combined therapy). Precise selection of therapies based on the time since stroke onset and specific cognitive domains can further enhance treatment outcomes.

Effects of Combined Use of Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation and Cognitive Training on Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Poststroke cognitive impairment substantially affects patients' quality of life. This study explored the therapeutic efficacy of intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with cognitive training for poststroke cognitive impairment.

DESIGN

The experimental group received intermittent theta burst stimulation and cognitive training, whereas the control group only received cognitive training, both for 6 wks. The outcome measures were the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment, modified Barthel Index, transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS

After therapy, between-group comparisons revealed a substantial difference in the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment scores ( P = 0.024). Improvements in visuomotor organization and thinking operations were more noticeable in the experimental group than in the other groups ( P = 0.017 and P = 0.044, respectively). After treatment, the resistance index of the experimental group differed from that of the control group; channels 29, 37, and 41 were activated ( P < 0.05). The active locations were the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, prefrontal polar cortex, and left Broca's region.

CONCLUSIONS

Intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with cognitive training had a superior effect on improving cognitive function and everyday activities compared with cognitive training alone, notably in visuomotor organization and thinking operations. Intermittent theta burst stimulation may enhance cognitive performance by improving network connectivity.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for stroke rehabilitation: insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuroinflammation

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, with most survivors reporting dysfunctions of motor, sensation, deglutition, cognition, emotion, and speech, etc. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), one of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, is able to modulate neural excitability of brain regions and has been utilized in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Moreover, a large number of studies have shown that the rTMS presents positive effects on function recovery of stroke patients. In this review, we would like to summarized the clinical benefits of rTMS for stroke rehabilitation, including improvements of motor impairment, dysphagia, depression, cognitive function, and central post-stroke pain. In addition, this review will also discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying rTMS-mediated stroke rehabilitation, especially immune regulatory mechanisms, such as regulation of immune cells and inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the neuroimaging technique as an important tool in rTMS-mediated stroke rehabilitation has been discussed, to better understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of rTMS. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of rTMS-mediated stroke rehabilitation are also elucidated with the intention to accelerate its widespread clinical application.

Effects of rTMS Treatment on Cognitive Impairment and Resting-State Brain Activity in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been employed for motor function rehabilitation for stroke patients, but its effects on post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remains controversial.

Objective

To identify the effects of rTMS intervention on PSCI patients and its potential neural correlates to behavioral improvements.

Methods

We recruited 34 PSCI patients for 20 sessions of 10 Hz rTMS or no-stim control treatments over the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Cognitive function was evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, Victoria Stroop Test, Rivermead Behavior Memory Test, and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assessed with the Modified Barthel Index. 14 patients received functional MRI scan, a useful non-invasive technique of determining how structurally segregated and functionally specialized brain areas were interconnected, which was reflected by blood oxygenation level–dependent signals. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) were applied as the analytical approaches, which were used to measure the resting-state brain activity and functional connection.

Results

rTMS improved cognitive functions and ADLs for PSCI patients relative to patients who received no-stim control treatment. The cognitive improvements correlated to increased ALFF of the left medial prefrontal cortex, and increased FC of right medial prefrontal cortex and right ventral anterior cingulate cortex.

Conclusion

10 Hz rTMS at DLPFC could improve cognitive function and quality of life for PSCI patients, which is associated with an altered frontal cortical activity.

Clinical Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IPR-17011908, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.

Is Aphasia Treatment Beneficial for the Elderly? A Review of Recent Evidence

Purpose

We review recent literature regarding aphasia therapy in the elderly. Relevant articles from the last 5 years were identified to determine whether or not there is evidence to support that various therapeutic approaches can have a positive effect on post-stroke aphasia in the elderly.

Recent findings

There were no studies examining the effects of aphasia therapy specifically in the elderly within the timeframe searched. Therefore, we briefly summarize findings from 50 relevant studies that included large proportions of participants with post-stroke aphasia above the age of 65. A variety of behavioral and neuromodulation therapies are reported.

Summary

We found ample evidence suggesting that a variety of behavioral and neuromodulatory therapeutic approaches can benefit elderly individuals with post-stroke aphasia.

Plasticity and recovery of function

The frontal lobe plays a crucial role in human motor behavior. It is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, especially the prefrontal regions. After a brief historical perspective on the perceived dichotomy between the view of the brain as a static organ and that of a plastic, constantly changing structure, we discuss the stability/plasticity dilemma including examples of documented cortical reorganization taking place at multiple spatial and temporal scales. We pose that while plasticity is needed for motor learning, stability of the system is necessary for storage and maintenance of memorized skills. We discuss how this plasticity/stability dilemma is resolved along the life span and after a brain injury. We then examine the main challenges that clinicians have to overcome to promote recovery of function in patients with brain lesions, including attempts to use neurostimulation techniques as adjuvant to training-based customary neurorehabilitation.

Neurophysiological predictors of aphasia recovery in patients with large left-hemispheric infarction

Background:

Although the rehabilitation of aphasia has been extensively studied, the prediction of language outcome still has not received sufficient attention. The aim of this study was to predict the language outcome using mismatch negativity (MMN) in patients with large left-hemispheric infarction.

Methods:

MMN was elicited by an oddball paradigm in which a standard tone (1000 Hz) and deviant tone (1500 Hz) were presented at 90% and 10% of the number of tones, respectively. The mean amplitudes and laterality indexes (LIs) of MMN were measured over the prefrontal, frontal, central, parietal, temporal, and perisylvian electrodes and both hemispheres during the first 7 days (session 1) and 10 to 20 days (session 2) post-onset. Mixed three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate differences in these factors between two aphasia groups (the good recovery group and poor recovery group). The predictive value of the most significant LI was also compared with the score of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and low-density volume on computed tomography.

Results:

A total of 18 patients were enrolled in this study. Mixed three-way ANOVA showed no interaction effect of session × region of interest (ROI) × group (F [3.59, 57.38] = 1.301, P = 0.282) and no interaction effect of ROI × group (F [1.81, 29.01] = 0.71, P = 0.487) and session × group (F [1.00, 16.00] = 0.084, P = 0.776) for MMN amplitude. No interaction effect of session × ROI × group (F [1.79, 28.58] = 0.62, P = 0.530), but an interaction effect of session × group (F [1.00, 16.00] = 5.21, P = 0.036) was found for LIs. In the poor recovery group, the LIs of MMN over all the ROIs, except the parietal area, became more negative at session 2 than those at session 1 (P < 0.05), but this effect was not observed in the good recovery group. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the LIs at session 2 between the two groups (P < 0.05). The LI over the perisylvian area at session 2 had the highest predictive value with an area under the curve of 0.963 (95% confidence interval: 0.884–1.000). An LI score >−0.36 over the perisylvian area suggested good recovery, but a score <−0.36 suggested poor recovery. The LI cut-off value of −0.36 had the highest sensitivity (90.0%) and specificity (87.5%) for predicting a good language outcome at 3 months post-stroke.

Conclusion:

LIs of MMN amplitudes at approximately 2 weeks post left-hemisphere stroke serve as more sensitive predictors of language outcome, among which the LI over the perisylvian area exhibits the best predictive value.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy associated with serotonin syndrome in a patient with stroke: A case report

RATIONALE

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction. We describe a patient with stroke who presented with TC caused by serotonin syndrome (SS) following the administration of serotonergic and dopaminergic agents.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 55-year-old man with stroke was administered venlafaxine, tianeptine, ropinirole, carbidopa/levodopa, bromocriptine, and methylphenidate during rehabilitation. The patient presented with clinical features of SS (mental confusion, agitation, hyperhidrosis, chills, rigidity, and tachycardia), which persisted over 24 hours. The day after his SS symptoms disappeared, the patient's blood pressure decreased, and he developed tachycardia.

DIAGNOSES

Echocardiography revealed an extensively akinetic apical segment and a severely hypokinetic midventricular segment of the left ventricle with basal hyperkinesia. The ejection fraction was reduced to 38%, and he was diagnosed with TC by the cardiologist.

INTERVENTIONS

He was administered oxygen at 8 to 10 L/minutes via a Venturi mask, and norepinephrine bitartrate was administered intravenously. Hydration was maintained with normal saline infusion.

OUTCOMES

Following appropriate management of TC, the patient was hemodynamically stable with significant recovery of his left ventricular wall motion.

LESSONS

Prognosis of TC is usually favorable; however, it could be fatal in some cases. Clinicians should be aware of the potential development of TC in patients with stroke presenting with SS following the administration of serotonergic and dopaminergic agents.