Restorative neurology and neuroscience
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Inhibition of glial proliferation, promotion of axonal growth and myelin production by synthetic glycolipid: A new approach for spinal cord injury treatment.
After spinal cord injury (SCI) a glial scar is generated in the area affected that forms a barrier for axon growth and myelination, preventing functional recovery. Recently, we have described a synthetic glycolipid (IG20) that inhibited proliferation of human glioma cells. We show now that IG20 inhibited the proliferation of astrocytes and microglial cells, the principal cellular components of the glial scar, and promoting axonal outgrowth and myelin production in vitro. ⋯ We propose that inhibition of astrocytes and microglia by IG20 could be diminished the glial scar formation, inducing the re-growth and myelination of axons, these elements constitute a new approach for SCI therapy.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Functional recovery after experimental spinal cord compression and whole body vibration therapy requires a balanced revascularization of the injured site.
Based on several positive effects of whole-body-vibration (WBV) therapy on recovery after SCI, we looked for correlations between functional (analysis of locomotion), electrophysiological (H-reflex) and morphological (density of functioning capillaries) measurements after SCI and WBV-treatment. ⋯ The results of this study provide for the first time evidence that intensive WBV-therapy leads to a significantly denser capillary network in the lesioned spinal cord. However, since this higher capillary density is not associated with improved functional recovery (possibly because it exceeded the balance necessary for functional improvements), optional treatments with lower intensity or less time of WBV-therapy should be tested.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialAnodal transcranial direct current stimulation of motor cortex does not ameliorate spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
To assess whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective in modulating lower limb spasticity in MS patients. Previously, anodal tDCS has been shown to improve motor deficits in several neurological diseases and, recently, it has been proposed as effective in decreasing spasticity after stroke. However, the effect of anodal tDCS on spasticity is not examined in MS. ⋯ Five-daily sessions of anodal tDCS to the primary motor cortex does do not improve lower limb spasticity in MS patients.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialStimulation targeting higher motor areas in stroke rehabilitation: A proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled study of effectiveness and underlying mechanisms.
To demonstrate, in a proof-of-concept study, whether potentiating ipsilesional higher motor areas (premotor cortex and supplementary motor area) augments and accelerates recovery associated with constraint induced movement. ⋯ Our proof-of-concept study provides early evidence that stimulating higher motor areas can help recruit the contralesional hemisphere in an adaptive role in cases of greater ipsilesional injury. Whether this early evidence of promise translates to remarkable gains in functional recovery compared to existing approaches of stimulation remains to be confirmed in large-scale clinical studies that can reasonably dissociate stimulation of higher motor areas from that of the traditional primary motor cortices.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialCombined effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic stroke: A pilot, double blind, randomized controlled trial.
Preliminary evidence has shown no additional effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on robotic gait training in chronic stroke, probably due to the neural organization of locomotion involving cortical and spinal control. Our aim was to compare the combined effects of tDCS and transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) on robotic gait training in chronic stroke. ⋯ Our preliminary findings support the hypothesis that anodal tDCS combined with cathodal tsDCS may be useful to improve the effects of robotic gait training in chronic stroke.