Cerebrovascular disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of adult disability. Most patients that survive an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke have persistent and disabling deficits. The mechanisms of recovery following stroke are poorly understood and therefore poorly manipulated by therapeutic interventions. Good functional outcome has been associated with smaller size and specific location of the stroke, particularly important is the integrity of the pyramidal system. However, the precise brain areas and physiological processes that are important to enable recovery have not been determined.
We are currently conducting three studies in the field of stroke recovery:
Using fMRI and TMS to better understand natural Stroke
Recovery
We are interested in using a combination of two techniques, functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to determine
not only where neuroplastic changes take place but elucidate their physiological
characteristics and functional importance of these changes.
Using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) to improve Stroke Recovery
We are using a combination of occupational therapy (OT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS), a non-invasive and non-harmful technique to change the activity
in certain brain regions in order to improve the learning of motor skills and improve stroke recovery.
Using Music Intonation Therapy to improve
Recovery from Aphasia
We are exploring the facilitating effects of melodic intonation therapy to
improve language recovery in patients suffering from an expressive aphasia
(e.g., Broca's aphasia).
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