1
|
Phillips C, Kline J, Stanley CJ, Bulea TC, Damiano DL. Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy Exhibit Bimanual Asymmetric Motor Deficits and EEG Evidence of Dominant Sensorimotor Hemisphere Overreliance During Reaching. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2023; 37:617-627. [PMID: 37644730 PMCID: PMC10529186 DOI: 10.1177/15459683231195044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reaching is a fundamental motor skill often impaired in cerebral palsy (CP). Studies on manual function, intervention, and underlying brain mechanisms largely focus on unilateral CP. This first electroencephalography (EEG) evaluation of reaching exclusively in bilateral CP aims to quantify and relate brain activation patterns to bimanual deficits in this population. METHODS A total of 15 children with bilateral CP (13.4 ± 2.9 years) and 13 with typical development (TD: 14.3 ± 2.4 years) performed 45 reaches per hand while recording motion capture and EEG data. The Box and Blocks test was administered bilaterally. Cortical sources were identified using independent component analysis and clustered using k-means. Alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) band event-related desynchronization (ERD) values were compared across groups and hands within clusters, between dominant and non-dominant sensorimotor clusters, and related to reach kinematics and the Box and Block test. RESULTS The group with CP demonstrated bimanual motor deficits with slower reaches, lower Box and Blocks scores, and stronger hand preference than in TD. Beta ERD, representing motor execution, was notably higher in the dominant sensorimotor cluster in CP compared to TD. Both groups demonstrated more contralateral than ipsilateral activity in both hands and clusters, with CP showing a less lateralized (more bilateral) alpha response. Higher brain activation was generally related to better function. CONCLUSION Bimanual deficits in bilateral CP and related EEG differences warrant more clinical and research attention particularly earlier in life when greater potential for neural and functional recovery exists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Connor Phillips
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Julia Kline
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher J Stanley
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas C Bulea
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Diane L Damiano
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hinchberger V, Kang SH, Kline J, Stanley CJ, Bulea TC, Damiano DL. Investigation of brain mechanisms underlying upper limb function in bilateral cerebral palsy using EEG. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 151:116-127. [PMID: 37245498 PMCID: PMC10330582 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Few studies focus on upper limbs in bilateral cerebral palsy (CP) despite potential bimanual deficits. Electroencephalography (EEG) was utilized to investigate brain mechanisms underlying upper limb tasks in bilateral CP and typical development (TD) and relationships to function. METHODS 26 (14 CP; 12 TD) completed the Box and Blocks Test and transport task with paper, sponge or mixed blocks, while recording EEG and motion data. RESULTS Group effects for path time, path length and Box and Blocks Test revealed bimanual deficits. Four sensorimotor-related EEG clusters were identified. Group effects were found in premotor and dominant motor clusters with greater beta event-related desynchronization (ERD) in CP. Hand and hand by group effects were found in the dominant motor cluster, showing greater ERD with the more affected hand in CP. Condition effects were prominent in the posterior parietal cluster with higher ERD reflecting greater difficulty in force modulation. CONCLUSIONS Higher brain activation associated with greater bimanual deficits is similar to our lower limb findings but contrasts studies in TD or unilateral CP linking higher ERD to greater proficiency. SIGNIFICANCE Bilateral CP shows overreliance on the dominant hemisphere with the less functional hand and higher brain activity presumably related to excessive intracortical connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Hinchberger
- Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Si Hyun Kang
- Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Julia Kline
- Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Christopher J Stanley
- Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Thomas C Bulea
- Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Diane L Damiano
- Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Research Section, Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Trevarrow MP, Taylor BK, Reelfs AM, Wilson TW, Kurz MJ. Aberrant movement-related somatosensory cortical activity mediates the extent of the mobility impairments in persons with cerebral palsy. J Physiol 2022; 600:3537-3548. [PMID: 35723200 PMCID: PMC9357205 DOI: 10.1113/jp282898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Persons with cerebral palsy (CP) have reduced somatosensory cortical responses at rest and during movement. The somatosensory cortical responses during movement mediate the relationship between the somatosensory cortical responses at rest and mobility. Persons with CP may have altered sensorimotor feedback that ultimately contributes to impaired mobility. ABSTRACT There are numerous clinical reports that persons with cerebral palsy (CP) have proprioceptive, stereognosis and tactile discrimination deficits. The current consensus is that these altered perceptions are attributable to aberrant somatosensory cortical activity. It has been inferred from these data that persons with CP do not adequately process ongoing sensory feedback during motor actions, which accentuates the extent of their mobility impairments. However, this hypothesis has yet to be directly tested. We used magnetoencephalographic (MEG) brain imaging to address this knowledge gap by quantifying the somatosensory dynamics evoked by applying electrical stimulation to the tibial nerve in 22 persons with CP and 25 neurotypical (NT) controls while at rest and during an ankle plantarflexion isometric force motor task. We also quantified the spatiotemporal gait biomechanics of participants outside the scanner. Consistent with the literature, our results confirmed that the strength of somatosensory cortical activity was weaker in the persons with CP compared to the NT controls. Our results also showed that the strength of the somatosensory cortical responses were significantly weaker during the isometric ankle force task than at rest. Most importantly, our results showed that the strength of somatosensory cortical activity during the ankle plantarflexion force production task mediated the relationship between somatosensory cortical activity at rest and both walking velocity and step length. These results suggest that youth with CP have aberrant somatosensory cortical activity during isometric force generation, which ultimately contributes to the extent of mobility impairments seen in this patient population. Abstract figure legend Magnetoencephalographic brain imaging was used to determine the effect of sensory feedback during movement on mobility in persons with cerebral palsy. Persons with cerebral palsy had reduced somatosensory cortical activity at rest and during movement compared with their neurotypical peers. Further, the somatosensory cortical activity during movement mediated the relationship between somatosensory cortical activity at rest and mobility. These results indicate that difficulties in sensorimotor integration may contribute to the mobility impairments seen in this patient population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Trevarrow
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brittany K Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Anna M Reelfs
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Max J Kurz
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Damiano DL, Pekar JJ, Mori S, Faria AV, Ye X, Stashinko E, Stanley CJ, Alter KE, Hoon AH, Chin EM. Functional and Structural Brain Connectivity in Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy Compared to Age-Related Controls and in Response to Intensive Rapid-Reciprocal Leg Training. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2022; 3:811509. [PMID: 36189020 PMCID: PMC9397804 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.811509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Compared to unilateral cerebral palsy (CP), less is known about brain reorganization and plasticity in bilateral CP especially in relation or response to motor training. The few trials that reported brain imaging results alongside functional outcomes include a handful of studies in unilateral CP, and one pilot trial of three children with bilateral CP. This study is the first locomotor training randomized controlled trial (RCT) in bilateral CP to our knowledge reporting brain imaging outcomes. Methods Objective was to compare MRI brain volumes, resting state connectivity and white matter integrity using DTI in children with bilateral CP with PVL and preterm birth history (<34 weeks), to age-related controls, and from an RCT of intensive 12 week rapid-reciprocal locomotor training using an elliptical or motor-assisted cycle. We hypothesized that connectivity in CP compared to controls would be greater across sensorimotor-related brain regions and that functional (resting state) and structural (fractional anisotropy) connectivity would improve post intervention. We further anticipated that baseline and post-intervention imaging and functional measures would correlate. Results Images were acquired with a 3T MRI scanner for 16/27 children with CP in the trial, and 18 controls. No conclusive evidence of training-induced neuroplastic effects were seen. However, analysis of shared variance revealed that greater increases in precentral gyrus connectivity with the thalamus and pons may be associated with larger improvements in the trained device speed. Exploratory analyses also revealed interesting potential relationships between brain integrity and multiple functional outcomes in CP, with functional connectivity between the motor cortex and midbrain showing the strongest potential relationship with mobility. Decreased posterior white matter, corpus callosum and thalamic volumes, and FA in the posterior thalamic radiation were the most prominent group differences with corticospinal tract differences notably not found. Conclusions Results reinforce the involvement of sensory-related brain areas in bilateral CP. Given the wide individual variability in imaging results and clinical responses to training, a greater focus on neural and other mechanisms related to better or worse outcomes is recommended to enhance rehabilitation results on a patient vs. group level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diane L. Damiano
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Diane L. Damiano
| | - James J. Pekar
- FM Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Susumu Mori
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andreia Vasconcellos Faria
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - X. Ye
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elaine Stashinko
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Alec H. Hoon
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Eric M. Chin
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Doucet GE, Baker S, Wilson TW, Kurz MJ. Weaker Connectivity of the Cortical Networks Is Linked with the Uncharacteristic Gait in Youth with Cerebral Palsy. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11081065. [PMID: 34439684 PMCID: PMC8391166 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent pediatric neurologic impairment and is associated with major mobility deficiencies. This has led to extensive investigations of the sensorimotor network, with far less research focusing on other major networks. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) of the main sensory networks (i.e., visual and auditory) and the sensorimotor network, and to link FC to the gait biomechanics of youth with CP. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, we first identified the sensorimotor, visual and auditory networks in youth with CP and neurotypical controls. Our analysis revealed reduced FC among the networks in the youth with CP relative to the controls. Notably, the visual network showed lower FC with both the sensorimotor and auditory networks. Furthermore, higher FC between the visual and sensorimotor cortices was associated with larger step length (r = 0.74, pFDR = 0.04) in youth with CP. These results confirm that CP is associated with functional brain abnormalities beyond the sensorimotor network, suggesting abnormal functional integration of the brain’s motor and primary sensory systems. The significant association between abnormal visuo-motor FC and gait could indicate a link with visuomotor disorders in this patient population.
Collapse
|