Post-infarct cortical plasticity and behavioral recovery using concurrent cortical stimulation and rehabilitative training: a feasibility study in primates

Neurol Res. 2003 Dec;25(8):801-10. doi: 10.1179/016164103771953880.

Abstract

Stroke is often characterized by incomplete recovery and chronic motor impairments. A nonhuman primate model of cortical ischemia was used to evaluate the feasibility of using device-assisted cortical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training to enhance behavioral recovery and cortical plasticity. Following pre-infarct training on a unimanual motor task, maps of movement representations in primary motor cortex were derived. Then, an ischemic infarct was produced which destroyed the hand representation. Several weeks later, a second cortical map was derived to guide implantation of a surface electrode over peri-infarct motor cortex. After several months of spontaneous recovery, monkeys underwent subthreshold electrical stimulation combined with rehabilitative training for several weeks. Post-therapy behavioral performance was tracked for several additional months. A third cortical map was derived several weeks post-therapy to examine changes in motor representations. Monkeys showed significant improvements in motor performance (success, speed, and efficiency) following therapy, which persisted for several months. Cortical mapping revealed large-scale emergence of new hand representations in peri-infarct motor cortex, primarily in cortical tissue underlying the electrode. Results support the feasibility of using a therapy approach combining peri-infarct electrical stimulation with rehabilitative training to alleviate chronic motor deficits and promote recovery from cortical ischemic injury.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Brain Ischemia / complications
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology
  • Cerebral Infarction / pathology
  • Cerebral Infarction / rehabilitation
  • Cerebral Infarction / therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiopathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Saimiri
  • Time Factors