Interaction Between the Brain Hemispheres - Key to Motor Recovery After Stroke

Launched by JORD VINK · Apr 23, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a specific brain stimulation technique, called continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), can help improve movement in patients who have had a stroke. After a stroke, many people experience difficulty using their arms, and this study aims to understand if cTBS can restore normal communication between different parts of the brain involved in movement. Researchers will compare the effects of this treatment on 40 stroke patients with upper limb weakness to 40 healthy individuals of similar age.

To be eligible for the study, stroke patients must be at least 18 years old and have had their first stroke within the last 3 to 6 weeks, resulting in weakness in one arm. Healthy participants must also be at least 18 years old and have normal arm function. During the trial, participants will receive the brain stimulation treatment and will be monitored to see how it affects their movement abilities. Importantly, this trial is not yet recruiting participants, and safety measures are in place to exclude those with certain medical conditions or risks.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for patients:
• • Age ≥ 18 years;
• • First-ever ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage in a cerebral hemisphere or the brainstem;
• • Unilateral paresis of an upper extremity with a Motricity Index (MI) between 9 and 99
• • Inclusion possible between 3 weeks and 6 weeks after stroke onset;
• • Signed informed consent.
• Inclusion Criteria for healthy controls:
• • Age ≥ 18 years;
• • Signed informed consent.
• • Normal motor function with a minimum Motricity Index (MI) of 99.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Disabling medical conditions (severe heart disease, severe head trauma, severe mental illness);
• • Severe deficits in communication, memory or understanding which could impede participation, as determined by the treating physician;
• • Contraindications to TMS and/or MRI (ferrous implants, history of epilepsy, drug or alcohol abuse over a period of 6 months prior to the experiment, pregnancy);
• • Life expectancy shorter than one year;
• • Upper limb paresis prior to stroke onset.