Neurorehabilitation and neural repair
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Jan 2011
Case ReportsBehavioral and neurophysiological effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the minimally conscious state: a case study.
In 2007, Schiff et al reported a patient in a minimally conscious state (MCS) who responded to deep brain stimulation (DBS), but clinicians cannot predict which patients might respond prior to the implantation of electrodes. ⋯ These results suggest that rTMS may improve awareness and arousal in MCS. If these results are reproducible, rTMS may identify subgroups of MCS patients who might benefit from DBS.
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Oct 2010
Electrical stimulation accelerates motor functional recovery in the rat model of 15-mm sciatic nerve gap bridged by scaffolds with longitudinally oriented microchannels.
Electrical stimulation (ES) can enhance the regenerative capacity of axotomized motor and sensory neurons. However, the impact of ES on axonal regeneration and functional recovery has not been investigated in an animal model of a lengthy peripheral nerve defect. ⋯ Brief ES may accelerate axonal regeneration and motor recovery after focal peripheral nerve transection when repaired with optimally tissue-engineered grafts.
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Sep 2010
ReviewProcedure- and device-related complications of intrathecal baclofen administration for management of adult muscle hypertonia: a review.
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) effectively reduces muscle hypertonia; however, associated complications influence its utility and acceptance. ⋯ Catheter problems are relatively common and more frequent than pump or surgical procedure complications after ITB pump implantation. Higher complication rates should be expected in centers that follow patients for a longer period of time. Standardized data collection and complication-reporting procedures along with appropriate training should be implemented in centers offering ITB treatment for management of muscle hypertonia.
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · Jun 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialReduction of spasticity with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with spinal cord injury.
Spasticity with increased tone and spasms is frequent in patients after spinal cord injury (SCI). Damage to descending corticospinal pathways that normally exert spinal segmental control is thought to play an important causal role in spasticity. The authors examined whether the modulation of excitability of the primary motor cortex with high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could modify lower limb spasticity in patients with incomplete SCI. ⋯ High-frequency rTMS over the leg motor area can improve aspects of spasticity in patients with incomplete SCI.
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Neurorehabil Neural Repair · May 2010
Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials and electrical perception thresholds during recovery from cervical spinal cord injury.
Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (dSSEPs) not only provide a neurophysiological readout comparable with conventional SSEPs but also provide an opportunity to track changes in sensory function corresponding to individual dermatomes (ie, a single spinal segment) above, at, and below the level of spinal cord injury (SCI). ⋯ SSEPs and EPT can be reliably recorded to monitor changes in sensory function for each individual spinal segment after cervical SCI. dSSEPs may be potentially useful to monitor the safety of a therapeutic drug or cell transplant in early-phase (I/II) clinical trials as well as document the potential efficacy of interventions where the standard neurological assessment might not detect subtle therapeutic effects.