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Savelon ECJ, Jordan HT, Stinear CM, Byblow WD. Noninvasive brain stimulation to improve motor outcomes after stroke. Curr Opin Neurol 2024:00019052-990000000-00192. [PMID: 39221935 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review highlights recent developments in noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques and applications for improving motor outcomes after stroke. Two promising areas of development relate to deep brain neuromodulation and the use of single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) within a prediction tool for predicting upper limb outcome for individual patients. RECENT FINDINGS Systematic reviews highlight the inconsistent effect sizes of interventional NIBS for motor outcome after stroke, as well as limited evidence supporting the interhemispheric competition model. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of NIBS, studies have leveraged metaplasticity and priming approaches. Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS) and low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) are emerging NIBS techniques with potential for modulating deeper brain structures, which may hold promise for stroke neurorehabilitation. Additionally, motor evoked potential (MEP) status obtained with single-pulse TMS is a prognostic biomarker that could be used to tailor NIBS for individual patients. SUMMARY Trials of interventional NIBS to improve stroke outcomes may be improved by applying NIBS in a more targeted manner. This could be achieved by taking advantage of NIBS techniques that can be targeted to deeper brain structures, using biomarkers of structural and functional reserve to stratify patients, and recruiting patients in more homogeneous time windows.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harry T Jordan
- Department of Exercise Sciences
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cathy M Stinear
- Centre for Brain Research
- Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Mahmoud W, Baur D, Zrenner B, Brancaccio A, Belardinelli P, Ramos-Murguialday A, Zrenner C, Ziemann U. Brain state-dependent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for motor stroke rehabilitation: a proof of concept randomized controlled trial. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1427198. [PMID: 39253360 PMCID: PMC11381265 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1427198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In healthy subjects, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) demonstrated plasticity effects contingent on electroencephalography (EEG)-derived excitability states, defined by the phase of the ongoing sensorimotor μ-oscillation. The therapeutic potential of brain state-dependent rTMS in the rehabilitation of upper limb motor impairment post-stroke remains unexplored. Objective Proof-of-concept trial to assess the efficacy of rTMS, synchronized to the sensorimotor μ-oscillation, in improving motor impairment and reducing upper-limb spasticity in stroke patients. Methods We conducted a parallel group, randomized double-blind controlled trial in 30 chronic stroke patients (clinical trial registration number: NCT05005780). The experimental intervention group received EEG-triggered rTMS of the ipsilesional M1 [1,200 pulses; 0.33 Hz; 100% of the resting motor threshold (RMT)], while the control group received low-frequency rTMS of the contralesional motor cortex (1,200 pulses; 1 Hz, 115% RMT), i.e., an established treatment protocol. Both groups received 12 rTMS sessions (20 min, 3× per week, 4 weeks) followed by 50 min of physiotherapy. The primary outcome measure was the change in upper-extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE) scores between baseline, immediately post-treatment and 3 months' follow-up. Results Both groups showed significant improvement in the primary outcome measure (FMA-UE) and the secondary outcome measures. This included the reduction in spasticity, measured objectively using the hand-held dynamometer, and enhanced motor function as measured by the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the outcome measures. Conclusion The application of brain state-dependent rTMS for rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients is feasible. This pilot study demonstrated that the brain oscillation-synchronized rTMS protocol produced beneficial effects on motor impairment, motor function and spasticity that were comparable to those observed with an established therapeutic rTMS protocol. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier [NCT05005780].
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Affiliation(s)
- Wala Mahmoud
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Baur
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Brigitte Zrenner
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arianna Brancaccio
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences-CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Paolo Belardinelli
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences-CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Ander Ramos-Murguialday
- Institute for Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Tecnalia, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, San Sebastián, Spain
- Athenea Neuroclinics, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Christoph Zrenner
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ulf Ziemann
- Department of Neurology and Stroke, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Tam PK, Oey NE, Tang N, Ramamurthy G, Chew E. Facilitating Corticomotor Excitability of the Contralesional Hemisphere Using Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Upper Limb Motor Recovery from Stroke-A Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4420. [PMID: 39124687 PMCID: PMC11313572 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154420] [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: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Upper limb weakness following stroke poses a significant global psychosocial and economic burden. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) is a potential adjunctive treatment in rehabilitation. However, traditional approaches to rebalance interhemispheric inhibition may not be effective for all patients. The supportive role of the contralesional hemisphere in recovery of upper limb motor function has been supported by animal and clinical studies, particularly for those with severe strokes. This review aims to provide an overview of the facilitation role of the contralesional hemisphere for post-stroke motor recovery. While more studies are required to predict responses and inform the choice of NIBS approach, contralesional facilitation may offer new hope for patients in whom traditional rehabilitation and NIBS approaches have failed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui Kit Tam
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (P.K.T.); (N.E.O.); (N.T.)
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Nicodemus Edrick Oey
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (P.K.T.); (N.E.O.); (N.T.)
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
| | - Ning Tang
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (P.K.T.); (N.E.O.); (N.T.)
| | - Guhan Ramamurthy
- BG Institute of Neurosciences, BG Hospital, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin 628216, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Effie Chew
- Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228, Singapore; (P.K.T.); (N.E.O.); (N.T.)
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
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Shanks MJ, Byblow WD. Corticomotor pathway function and recovery after stroke: a look back and a way forward. J Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38814805 DOI: 10.1113/jp285562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability that results in motor deficits and reduced independence. Regaining independence relies on motor recovery, particularly regaining function of the hand and arm. This review presents evidence from human studies that have used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to identify neurophysiological mechanisms underlying upper limb motor recovery early after stroke. TMS studies undertaken at the subacute stage after stroke have identified several neurophysiological factors that can drive motor impairment, including membrane excitability, the recruitment of corticomotor neurons, and glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. However, the inherent variability and subsequent poor reliability of measures derived from motor evoked potentials (MEPs) limit the use of TMS for prognosis at the individual patient level. Currently, prediction tools that provide the most accurate information about upper limb motor outcomes for individual patients early after stroke combine clinical measures with a simple neurophysiological biomarker based on MEP presence or absence, i.e. MEP status. Here, we propose a new compositional framework to examine MEPs across several upper limb muscles within a threshold matrix. The matrix can provide a more comprehensive view of corticomotor function and recovery after stroke by quantifying the evolution of subthreshold and suprathreshold MEPs through compositional analyses. Our contention is that subthreshold responses might be the most sensitive to reduced output of corticomotor neurons, desynchronized firing of the remaining neurons, and myelination processes that occur early after stroke. Quantifying subthreshold responses might provide new insights into post-stroke neurophysiology and improve the accuracy of prediction of upper limb motor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine J Shanks
- Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Winston D Byblow
- Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Chen B, Tan Q, Zhang H, Chu W, Wen H, Tian X, Yang Y, Li W, Li W, Chen Y, Feng H. Contralesional Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Promotes Intact Corticospinal Tract Axonal Sprouting and Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2024; 38:214-228. [PMID: 38385458 DOI: 10.1177/15459683241233261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (AtDCS), a neuromodulatory technique, has been applied to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI) in patients and was reported to promote functional improvement. We evaluated the effect of contralesional AtDCS on axonal sprouting of the intact corticospinal tract (CST) and the underlying mechanism in a TBI mouse model to provide more preclinical evidence for the use of AtDCS to treat TBI. METHODS TBI was induced in mice by a contusion device. Then, the mice were subjected to contralesional AtDCS 5 days per week followed by a 2-day interval for 7 weeks. After AtDCS, motor function was evaluated by the irregular ladder walking, narrow beam walking, and open field tests. CST sprouting was assessed by anterograde and retrograde labeling of corticospinal neurons (CSNs), and the effect of AtDCS was further validated by pharmacogenetic inhibition of axonal sprouting using clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). RESULTS TBI resulted in damage to the ipsilesional cortex, while the contralesional CST remained intact. AtDCS improved the skilled motor functions of the impaired hindlimb in TBI mice by promoting CST axon sprouting, specifically from the intact hemicord to the denervated hemicord. Furthermore, electrical stimulation of CSNs significantly increased the excitability of neurons and thus activated the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. CONCLUSIONS Contralesional AtDCS improved skilled motor following TBI, partly by promoting axonal sprouting through increased neuronal activity and thus activation of the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beike Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Tan
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Weihua Chu
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Huizhong Wen
- Department of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medical Science, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xuelong Tian
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The 904th Hospital of PLA, School of Medicine of Anhui Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Weina Li
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery and State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Clinical Research Center for Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Neuromedicine and Neuroregenaration, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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