Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6281987 | Neuroscience Letters | 2014 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
Noninvasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and methylphenidate (MP) are associated with motor recovery after stroke. Based on the potentially complementary mechanisms of these interventions, we examined whether there is an interactive effect between MP and tDCS. In this preliminary study, we randomized subacute stroke subjects to receive tDCS alone, MP alone or combination of tDCS and MP. A blinded rater measured safety, hand function, and cortical excitability before and after treatment. None of the treatments caused any major or severe adverse effects or induced significant differences in cortical excitability. Analysis of variance of gain score, as measured by Purdue pegboard test, showed a significant between-group difference (F(2,6) = 12.167, p = 0.008). Post hoc analysis showed that the combination treatment effected greater Purdue pegboard gain scores than tDCS alone (p = 0.017) or MP alone (p = 0.01). Our preliminary data with nine subjects shows an interesting dissociation between motor function improvement and lack of motor corticospinal plasticity changes as indexed by transcranial magnetic stimulation in subacute stroke subjects.
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Neuroscience
Neuroscience (General)
Authors
Qing Mei Wang, Huashun Cui, Soo Jeong Han, Randie Black-Schaffer, Magdalena Sarah Volz, Yong-Tae Lee, Seth Herman, Lydia Abul Latif, Ross Zafonte, Felipe Fregni,