Improved Functional Outcome After Peripheral Nerve Stimulation of the Impaired Forelimb Post-stroke
Shih-Yen Tsai1, Jennifer A Schreiber1,2, Natalie S Adamczyk1
1Edward Hines Jr. Veteran Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL, United States.
Frontiers in Neurology
|May 7, 2021
Summary
Electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves improved sensorimotor function and promoted neural plasticity after ischemic stroke in a rodent model. This approach may offer a new strategy for stroke rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Ischemic stroke causes neuronal loss and functional deficits.
- Current treatments are limited, especially for restoring lost function.
- Rehabilitation offers limited success in functional recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of electrical stimulation on the median nerve for improving upper extremity function after stroke.
- To assess the impact of peripheral nerve stimulation on sensorimotor recovery and neural plasticity.
Main Methods:
- A rodent model of ischemic stroke was established.
- Electrical stimulation was applied daily to the median nerve of the paretic forelimb.
- Functional recovery was assessed using skilled forelimb reaching and adhesive removal tests.
- Anterograde axonal tracing evaluated neuronal connection formation.
Main Results:
- Electrical stimulation significantly improved performance in the skilled forelimb reaching test.
- Animals receiving stimulation showed enhanced sensory recovery, indicated by reduced latency in adhesive removal.
- Axonal tracing revealed increased midline fiber crossing in the spinal cord, suggesting enhanced neural plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Direct peripheral nerve stimulation promotes significant sensorimotor recovery after stroke.
- This method may enhance the formation of new neuronal connections.
- Peripheral nerve stimulation presents a promising therapeutic approach for post-stroke deficits.
