Article
Clinical Neurology
Sheng Li, Gerard E. Francisco, W. Zev Rymer
Summary: The relationship between poststroke spasticity and motor recovery can be confusing. True motor recovery involves neural recovery and repair in the acute and subacute stages, while functional recovery is mainly mediated by compensatory mechanisms. Spasticity interferes with true motor recovery but does not affect functional recovery in the acute and subacute stages, although appropriate management can lead to improvement in motor function during the chronic stage of stroke.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chenye Qiao, Zongjian Liu, Shuyan Qie
Summary: Stroke can cause neurological deficits and dysfunctions at different stages of pathological development. Neuroprotection is the main treatment in the acute phase, while functional recovery becomes the focus in the subacute and chronic phases. Neuroplasticity, including dendritic and axonal remodeling, synapse shaping, and neurogenesis, is considered the basis for post-stroke restoration. Microglia play a crucial role in regulating brain inflammation and neurological recovery after stroke, and their activation and phagocytic function are closely related to neuroplasticity. This review explores the impact of neuroplasticity on post-stroke restoration and discusses the functions and mechanisms of microglial activation, polarization, and phagocytosis, as well as microglia-targeted rehabilitative interventions that promote stroke recovery.
Review
Neurosciences
Fang Yu, Tingting Huang, Yuanyuan Ran, Da Li, Lin Ye, Guiqin Tian, Jianing Xi, Zongjian Liu
Summary: This passage discusses the interaction between microglial activation and endogenous neuroplasticity, focusing on plastic alterations in the overall brain network and their implications for structural and functional restoration after stroke. It also summarizes recent advances in the impacts of microglial phenotype polarization on brain plasticity, aiming to discuss the potential efficacy of microglia-based extrinsic restorative interventions in promoting post-stroke recovery.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Sheng Li
Summary: Stroke recovery is a journey with long-lasting consequences. Initial impairments can predict the spontaneous recovery in the first 3 to 6 months, but management plans for maximal recovery are not well understood. A proposed model within the ICF framework aims to identify opportunities and barriers to maximize functional recovery and maintain function in chronic stages.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Chi Sang Choy, Shaun L. Cloherty, Elena Pirogova, Qiang Fang
Summary: Stroke is a serious neurological disease that can lead to long-term disabilities and even death. The current standard clinical practice for stroke patients with severe motor impairment may be ineffective. Motor imagery (MI) has been found to activate motor areas of the brain without physical movement and offers an opportunity for early rehabilitation. However, the lack of evidence-based research has limited the widespread use of MI in clinical practice. In this review, we explore MI-based approaches and immersive virtual reality (VR) technologies to potentially enhance recovery of motor function in stroke patients.
IEEE REVIEWS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jean Woo, Manuel F. Mas, Juliana Zhang, Bonny Wong, Argyrios Stampas, Gerard E. Francisco, Sheng Li
Summary: The study compared the effects of early vs. late BoNT injections in post-stroke spasticity management, finding that the early-start group had higher total doses and longer intervals between injections.
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Isabella Stuckart, Timo Siepmann, Christian Hartmann, Lars-Peder Pallesen, Annahita Sedghi, Jessica Barlinn, Heinz Reichmann, Volker Puetz, Kristian Barlinn
Summary: In acute ischemic stroke patients, early treatment with sertraline may contribute to improved functional recovery. Patients in the sertraline group showed worse neurological scores at baseline, but had a higher rate of favorable functional outcomes at 3 months and lower incidence of incident depression compared to the control group.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
S. Conti, C. Spalletti, M. Pasquini, N. Giordano, N. Barsotti, M. Mainardi, S. Lai, A. Giorgi, M. Pasqualetti, S. Micera, M. Caleo
Summary: Despite limited efficacy of robotic rehabilitation technologies for post-stroke motor recovery, combining robotic rehabilitation with chemogenetic stimulation of serotonin release shows promise in enhancing post-stroke motor performance. This combined approach results in substantial functional gains in mice that persist beyond treatment period and is associated with a reduction in GABAergic neurotransmission in perilesional areas. The immediate translational potential of this combined approach is demonstrated by the administration of a clinically approved drug, Buspirone, targeting the serotonin 1A receptor to significantly improve motor recovery after stroke.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michael J. O'Sullivan, Lena K. L. Oestreich, Paul Wright, Andrew N. Clarkson
Summary: A study has found that the recovery of cognitive function after stroke is related to neurotransmitter systems, learning-related networks, and brain regions that can adapt to demand. The status of the cholinergic basal forebrain, fornix, and hippocampal subfields predicted improvement in long-term memory performance. These findings provide important information for personalized therapeutic strategies after stroke.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shih-Pin Hsu, Chia-Feng Lu, Bing-Fong Lin, Chih-Wei Tang, I-Ju Kuo, Yun-An Tsai, Chao-Yu Guo, Po-Lei Lee, Kuo-Kai Shyu, David M. Niddam, I-Hui Lee
Summary: This study investigated the effects of bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on motor recovery in subacute stroke patients. The results showed that combining tDCS with task-oriented training can facilitate motor recovery in stroke patients, even with compromised corticospinal tract integrity. These findings provide new evidence for the efficacy of tDCS in stroke treatment and network-specific neuromodulation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jinjin Mei, Yang Xue, Jingwen Li, Lihong Zhang, Jianyun Zhang, Yiying Wang, Kaiqi Su, Jing Gao, Jian Guo, Ruiqing Li
Summary: This article presents a clinical study on the efficacy of functional acupuncture for upper limb spasticity after ischemic stroke. The findings will provide new insights into the treatment of upper limb spasticity after stroke and offer effective experimental support and theoretical basis for clinical practice.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoyu Ma, Fuhai Gao, Wei Su, Yuanyuan Ran, Tuerhong Bilalijiang, Yerasel Tuolhen, Guiqin Tian, Lin Ye, Zengguo Feng, Jianing Xi, Zongjian Liu
Summary: A precursor solution loaded with BDNF and VEGF is injected into the brain cavity of a stroke mouse induced by the photothrombotic method to form a multifunctional hydrogel. BDNF and VEGF are sustainably released from the hydrogel, promoting angiogenesis and neuroplasticity. The hydrogel also modulates microglial polarization and enhances motor recovery in stroke mice.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Won Hyuk Chang, Jungsoo Lee, Yong-Il Shin, Myoung-Hwan Ko, Deog Young Kim, Min Kyun Sohn, Jinuk Kim, Yun-Hee Kim
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate whether Cerebrolysin combined with rehabilitation therapy supports additional motor recovery in stroke patients. The results showed that the Cerebrolysin group demonstrated less degenerative changes in the major motor-related white matter tracts over time than the placebo group, which has a positive impact on motor recovery in ischemic stroke patients.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Nan Chen, Xiao Qiu, Yan Hua, Jian Hu, Yulong Bai
Summary: This study aimed to observe the efficacy and explore the possible neurophysiological mechanism of applying sequential inhibitory and facilitatory rTMS for upper limb motor dysfunction post-stroke. The results showed that this therapy significantly promoted motor recovery in the patient, possibly by enhancing excitability in the ipsilesional hemisphere, restoring interhemispheric balance, and inducing cortical reorganization through neuroplasticity.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jen-Wen Hung, Yen-Wei Chen, Yi-Ju Chen, Ya-Ping Pong, Wen-Chi Wu, Ku-Chou Chang, Ching-Yi Wu
Summary: This study compared two RT approaches as adjunct to BoNT-A injections and found that both condensed and distributed RT could significantly improve spasticity symptoms and activity levels in patients with chronic post-stroke upper limb spasticity.