Article

Cortical electrical stimulation of the motor cortex in combination
with rehabilitative training (CS/RT) has been shown to enhance motor recovery in
animal models of focal cortical stroke, yet in clinical trials, the effects are
much less robust. The variability of stroke location in human patient populations
that include both cortical and subcortical brain regions may contribute to the
failure to find consistent effects clinically. OBJECTIVE:
This study sought to
determine whether infarct location influences the enhanced motor recovery
previously observed in response to CS/RT. The efficacy of CS/RT to promote
improvements in motor function was examined in 2 different rat models of stroke
that varied the amount and location of cortical and subcortical damage. METHODS:
Ischemic infarctions were induced by injecting the vasoconstricting peptide
endothelin-1 either (1) onto the middle cerebral artery (MCA) producing damage to
the frontal cortex and lateral striatum or (2) into a subcortical region
producing damage to the posterior thalamus and internal capsule (subcortical
capsular ischemic injury [SCII]). Daily CS/RT or RT alone was then given for 20
days, during which time performance on a skilled reaching task was assessed.
RESULTS: Animals with MCA occlusion infarctions exhibited enhanced improvements
on a skilled reaching task in response to CS/RT relative to RT alone. No such
enhancement was observed in animals with SCII infarctions across the 20 days of
treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of CS for enhancing motor recovery after
stroke may depend in part on the extent and location of the ischemic infarct.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS