Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Objectives. Motor cortex stimulation has been used as a treatment for intractable pain. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. In this study, neuroplasticity induced by chronic sensorimotor cortex stimulation was investigated experimentally on the basis of c-Fos expression. ⋯ We examined the neural activation in response to chronic stimulation using c-Fos immunopositivity. Results. The results are as follows: 1) c-Fos was significantly expressed immediately after the stimulation compared with that in the control; 2) c-Fos expression became extensive over the various regions with an increase in stimulation duration; and 3) after two months of stimulation, c-Fos was expressed not only on the stimulation side, but also within the contralateral cerebral hemisphere. Conclusions. Changes in c-Fos expression induced by long-term stimulation indicate the existence of a time-dependent neural plasticity.
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Objective. Classically, a decerebrated animal by mesencephalic lesioning is considered the paradigm for experimental study of spasticity that accompanies cerebral palsy, but, the model does not actually correspond with anatomical and pathologic realities. Therefore, a new and novel animal model is needed. Our objective was to create a more adapted animal model to be used in neuromodulation and functional electrical stimulation research. ⋯ Conclusions. This animal model presents anatomic similarities to lesions currently present in cerebral palsy and related diseases. The model also shows electrophysiologic differences that signal chronic brain damage. Therefore, this method is useful in research when spastic syndromes produced by upper motor lesions need to be modeled.
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In neuromodulation treatment and research, the informed consent of the patient or research subject is considered to be a moral precondition. In order to be morally valid, the consent of the person should be informed and voluntarily given, and the person should have decision-making capacity. Decision-making capacity matters from a moral point of view because it enables the patient or research subject to make a well-considered decision about treatment or research participation. ⋯ In this paper, it is argued that full decision-making capacity in the context of neuromodulation is an illusion. This does not imply that we should do away with the moral ideals of decision-making capacity and valid informed consent. It is part of the responsibility of clinicians involved in neuromodulation to be aware of and sensitive to the different threats to the decision-making capacity of patients suffering from neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, and to assist patients in making decisions that are as well considered as possible in the given circumstances.
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Evidence-based medicine is gaining increasing penetrance in the United States. Neuromodulation providers need to know how to use this resource and how to get what we do appropriately evaluated and included in structured reviews and meta-analyses. Randomized clinical trials are not the only form of evidence for patient care activities; other, equally valid strategies are available and should be used for interventions that may preclude blinding and randomization. Those who determine payment are going to use evidence-based medicine to make decisions that may not be in the best interests of our patients or our profession.
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Objective. The aim of our work was to investigate whether lateral stimulation of the spinal cord, lateral cord stimulation (LCS), results in inhibition of the spastic phenomena of upper motor lesions in an animal model. Methods. This study was conducted using an animal model consisting of surgically brain damaged pigs subjected to unilateral cortical and subcortical brain lesions. ⋯ Results. Experiments in 12 animals showed a significant increase of threshold after LCS, with a marked posteffect, signaling a less abnormal threshold. Conclusions. This experiment demonstrated that LCS produces threshold increases to abolish abnormally propagated electromyographic evoked responses induced by the electrical stimulation of the fourth lumbar root in pigs with experimental cortical and subcortical brain lesions.