The Experts below are selected from a list of 74721 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Barbro B. Johansson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Current trends in stroke rehabilitation. A review with focus on Brain Plasticity
Acta neurologica Scandinavica, 2010Co-Authors: Barbro B. JohanssonAbstract:Johansson BB. Current trends in stroke rehabilitation. A review with focus on Brain Plasticity. Acta Neurol Scand: DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2010.01417.x. (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Current understanding of Brain Plasticity has lead to new approaches in ischemic stroke rehabilitation. Stroke units that combine good medical and nursing care with task-oriented intense training in an environment that provides confidence, stimulation and motivation significantly improve outcome. Repetitive trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are applied in rehabilitation of motor function. The long-term effect, optimal way of stimulation and possibly efficacy in cognitive rehabilitation need evaluation. Methods based on multisensory integration of motor, cognitive, and perceptual processes including action observation, mental training, and virtual reality are being tested. Different approaches of intensive aphasia training are described. Recent data on intensive melodic intonation therapy indicate that even patients with very severe non-fluent aphasia can regain speech through homotopic white matter tract Plasticity. Music therapy is applied in motor and cognitive rehabilitation. To avoid the confounding effect of spontaneous improvement, most trials are preformed >/=3 months post stroke. Randomized controlled trials starting earlier after strokes are needed. More attention should be given to stroke heterogeneity, cognitive rehabilitation, and social adjustment and to genetic differences, including the role of BDNF polymorphism in Brain Plasticity. (Less)
-
Brain Plasticity in health and disease
The Keio journal of medicine, 2004Co-Authors: Barbro B. JohanssonAbstract:Research during the last decades has greatly increased our understanding of Brain Plasticity, i.e. how neuronal circuits can be modified by experience, learning and in response to Brain lesions. Currently available neuroimaging techniques that make it possible to study the function of the human Brain in vivo have had an important impact. Cross-modal Plasticity during development is demonstrated by cortical reorganization in blind or deaf children. Early musical training has lasting effects in shaping the Brain. Albeit the Plasticity is largest during childhood, the adult Brain retains a capacity for functional and structural reorganization that earlier has been underestimated. Recent research on Huntington's disease has revealed the possibility of environmental interaction even with dominant genes. Scientifically based training methods are now being applied in rehabilitation of patients after stroke and trauma, and in the sensory retraining techniques currently applied in the treatment of focal hand dystonia as well as in sensory re-education after nerve repair in hand surgery. There is evidence that frequent participation in challenging and stimulating activities is associated with reduced cognitive decline during aging. The current concept of Brain Plasticity has wide implication for areas outside neuroscience and for all human life.
Michael M. Merzenich - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Brain Plasticity-based therapeutics
Frontiers in human neuroscience, 2014Co-Authors: Michael M. Merzenich, Thomas M. Van Vleet, Mor NahumAbstract:The primary objective of this review article is to summarize how the neuroscience of Brain Plasticity, exploiting new findings in fundamental, integrative and cognitive neuroscience, is changing the therapeutic landscape for professional communities addressing Brain-based disorders and disease. After considering the neurological bases of training-driven neuroPlasticity, we shall describe how this neuroscience-guided perspective distinguishes this new approach from (a) the more-behavioral, traditional clinical strategies of professional therapy practitioners, and (b) an even more widely applied pharmaceutical treatment model for neurological and psychiatric treatment domains. With that background, we shall argue that neuroPlasticity-based treatments will be an important part of future best-treatment practices in neurological and psychiatric medicine.
-
Brain Plasticity and functional losses in the aged scientific bases for a novel intervention
Progress in Brain Research, 2006Co-Authors: Henry W Mahncke, Amy Bronstone, Michael M. MerzenichAbstract:Aging is associated with progressive losses in function across multiple systems, including sensation, cognition, memory, motor control, and affect. The traditional view has been that functional decline in aging is unavoidable because it is a direct consequence of Brain machinery wearing down over time. In recent years, an alternative perspective has emerged, which elaborates on this traditional view of age-related functional decline. This new viewpoint--based upon decades of research in neuroscience, experimental psychology, and other related fields--argues that as people age, Brain Plasticity processes with negative consequences begin to dominate Brain functioning. Four core factors--reduced schedules of Brain activity, noisy processing, weakened neuromodulatory control, and negative learning--interact to create a self-reinforcing downward spiral of degraded Brain function in older adults. This downward spiral might begin from reduced Brain activity due to behavioral change, from a loss in Brain function driven by aging Brain machinery, or more likely from both. In aggregate, these interrelated factors promote plastic changes in the Brain that result in age-related functional decline. This new viewpoint on the root causes of functional decline immediately suggests a remedial approach. Studies of adult Brain Plasticity have shown that substantial improvement in function and/or recovery from losses in sensation, cognition, memory, motor control, and affect should be possible, using appropriately designed behavioral training paradigms. Driving Brain Plasticity with positive outcomes requires engaging older adults in demanding sensory, cognitive, and motor activities on an intensive basis, in a behavioral context designed to re-engage and strengthen the neuromodulatory systems that control learning in adults, with the goal of increasing the fidelity, reliability, and power of cortical representations. Such a training program would serve a substantial unmet need in aging adults. Current treatments directed at age-related functional losses are limited in important ways. Pharmacological therapies can target only a limited number of the many changes believed to underlie functional decline. Behavioral approaches focus on teaching specific strategies to aid higher order cognitive functions, and do not usually aspire to fundamentally change Brain function. A Brain-Plasticity-based training program would potentially be applicable to all aging adults with the promise of improving their operational capabilities. We have constructed such a Brain-Plasticity-based training program and conducted an initial randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of its use by older adults. A main objective of this initial study was to estimate the effect size on standardized neuropsychological measures of memory. We found that older adults could learn the training program quickly, and could use it entirely unsupervised for the majority of the time required. Pre- and posttesting documented a significant improvement in memory within the training group (effect size 0.41, p<0.0005), with no significant within-group changes in a time-matched computer using active control group, or in a no-contact control group. Thus, a Brain-Plasticity-based intervention targeting normal age-related cognitive decline may potentially offer benefit to a broad population of older adults.
-
Brain Plasticity and functional losses in the aged: scientific bases for a novel intervention.
Progress in brain research, 2006Co-Authors: Henry W Mahncke, Amy Bronstone, Michael M. MerzenichAbstract:Aging is associated with progressive losses in function across multiple systems, including sensation, cognition, memory, motor control, and affect. The traditional view has been that functional decline in aging is unavoidable because it is a direct consequence of Brain machinery wearing down over time. In recent years, an alternative perspective has emerged, which elaborates on this traditional view of age-related functional decline. This new viewpoint--based upon decades of research in neuroscience, experimental psychology, and other related fields--argues that as people age, Brain Plasticity processes with negative consequences begin to dominate Brain functioning. Four core factors--reduced schedules of Brain activity, noisy processing, weakened neuromodulatory control, and negative learning--interact to create a self-reinforcing downward spiral of degraded Brain function in older adults. This downward spiral might begin from reduced Brain activity due to behavioral change, from a loss in Brain function driven by aging Brain machinery, or more likely from both. In aggregate, these interrelated factors promote plastic changes in the Brain that result in age-related functional decline. This new viewpoint on the root causes of functional decline immediately suggests a remedial approach. Studies of adult Brain Plasticity have shown that substantial improvement in function and/or recovery from losses in sensation, cognition, memory, motor control, and affect should be possible, using appropriately designed behavioral training paradigms. Driving Brain Plasticity with positive outcomes requires engaging older adults in demanding sensory, cognitive, and motor activities on an intensive basis, in a behavioral context designed to re-engage and strengthen the neuromodulatory systems that control learning in adults, with the goal of increasing the fidelity, reliability, and power of cortical representations. Such a training program would serve a substantial unmet need in aging adults. Current treatments directed at age-related functional losses are limited in important ways. Pharmacological therapies can target only a limited number of the many changes believed to underlie functional decline. Behavioral approaches focus on teaching specific strategies to aid higher order cognitive functions, and do not usually aspire to fundamentally change Brain function. A Brain-Plasticity-based training program would potentially be applicable to all aging adults with the promise of improving their operational capabilities. We have constructed such a Brain-Plasticity-based training program and conducted an initial randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of its use by older adults. A main objective of this initial study was to estimate the effect size on standardized neuropsychological measures of memory. We found that older adults could learn the training program quickly, and could use it entirely unsupervised for the majority of the time required. Pre- and posttesting documented a significant improvement in memory within the training group (effect size 0.41, p
Valentina Tomassini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The effect of inflammation and its reduction on Brain Plasticity in multiple sclerosis: MRI evidence.
Human brain mapping, 2016Co-Authors: Valentina Tomassini, Richard Wise, Alessandro D’ambrosio, Nikolaos Petsas, Emilia Sbardella, Marek Allen, Francesca Tona, Fulvia Fanelli, Catherine Foster, Marco CarnìAbstract:Brain Plasticity is the basis for systems-level functional reorganization that promotes recovery in multiple sclerosis (MS). As inflammation interferes with Plasticity, its pharmacological modulation may restore Plasticity by promoting desired patterns of functional reorganization. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Brain Plasticity probed by a visuomotor adaptation task is impaired with MS inflammation and that pharmacological reduction of inflammation facilitates its restoration. MS patients were assessed twice before (sessions 1 and 2) and once after (session 3) the beginning of Interferon beta (IFN-beta), using behavioural and structural MRI measures. During each session, 2 functional MRI runs of a visuomotor task, separated by 25-minutes of task practice, were performed. Within-session between-run change in task-related functional signal was our imaging marker of Plasticity. During session 1, patients were compared with healthy controls. Comparison of patients’ sessions 2 and 3 tested the effect of reduced inflammation on our imaging marker of Plasticity. The proportion of patients with gadolinium-enhancing lesions reduced significantly during IFN beta. In session 1, patients demonstrated a greater between-run difference in functional MRI activity of secondary visual areas and cerebellum than controls. This abnormally large practice-induced signal change in visual areas, and in functionally connected posterior parietal and motor cortices, was reduced in patients in session 3 compared with 2. Our results suggest that MS inflammation alters short-term Plasticity underlying motor practice. Reduction of inflammation with IFN-beta is associated with a restoration of this Plasticity, suggesting that modulation of inflammation may enhance recovery-oriented strategies that rely on patients’ Brain Plasticity.
-
Relating Brain Damage to Brain Plasticity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 2012Co-Authors: Valentina Tomassini, Heidi Johansen-berg, Saad Jbabdi, Richard Wise, Carlo Pozzilli, Jacqueline Palace, Paul M. MatthewsAbstract:BACKGROUND: Failure of adaptive Plasticity with increasing pathology is suggested to contribute to progression of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, functional impairments can be reduced with practice, suggesting that Brain Plasticity is preserved even in patients with substantial damage. OBJECTIVE: Here, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to probe systems-level mechanisms of Brain Plasticity associated with improvements in visuomotor performance in MS patients and related to measures of microstructural damage. METHODS: 23 MS patients and 12 healthy controls underwent Brain fMRI during the first practice session of a visuomotor task (short-term practice) and after 2 weeks of daily practice with the same task (longer-term practice). Participants also underwent a structural Brain MRI scan. RESULTS: Patients performed more poorly than controls at baseline. Nonetheless, with practice, patients showed performance improvements similar to controls and independent of the extent of MRI measures of Brain pathology. Different relationships between performance improvements and activations were found between groups: greater short-term improvements were associated with lower activation in the sensorimotor, posterior cingulate, and parahippocampal cortices for patients, whereas greater long-term improvements correlated with smaller activation reductions in the visual cortex of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Brain Plasticity for visuomotor practice is preserved in MS patients despite a high burden of cerebral pathology. Cognitive systems different from those acting in controls contribute to this Plasticity in patients. These findings challenge the notion that increasing pathology is accompanied by an outright failure of adaptive Plasticity, supporting a neuroscientific rationale for recovery-oriented strategies even in chronically disabled patients.
Yin Hengcha - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Progress in Physical Activity and Brain Plasticity and Its Educational Implications
Journal of Sports Sciences, 2011Co-Authors: Yin HengchaAbstract:Brain Plasticity refers to the Brains' ability to shape its structure and functions under the action of outside environment and experience.In recent years,some studies found physical activity can affect Brain Plasticity,the relationship between physical activity and Brain Plasticity has been more attended,and become the focus in many subjects.The present article focuses on the research progress between physical activity and Brain Plasticity.Research indicated,the effect of physical activity on Brain Plasticity can be observed at three different levels:Brain system,cell and molecular level.From the dimension of time,the effect is existing among childhood,adulthood and old age.These findings prompted that understanding of physical activity and Brain Plasticity research to pay attention to the positive role of physical activity;providing rich and appropriate sport intervention(education) programs to improve the effectiveness of the program;Focusing on "combined effects" to promote the integrated development of the Brain.
Richard Wise - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
The effect of inflammation and its reduction on Brain Plasticity in multiple sclerosis: MRI evidence.
Human brain mapping, 2016Co-Authors: Valentina Tomassini, Richard Wise, Alessandro D’ambrosio, Nikolaos Petsas, Emilia Sbardella, Marek Allen, Francesca Tona, Fulvia Fanelli, Catherine Foster, Marco CarnìAbstract:Brain Plasticity is the basis for systems-level functional reorganization that promotes recovery in multiple sclerosis (MS). As inflammation interferes with Plasticity, its pharmacological modulation may restore Plasticity by promoting desired patterns of functional reorganization. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Brain Plasticity probed by a visuomotor adaptation task is impaired with MS inflammation and that pharmacological reduction of inflammation facilitates its restoration. MS patients were assessed twice before (sessions 1 and 2) and once after (session 3) the beginning of Interferon beta (IFN-beta), using behavioural and structural MRI measures. During each session, 2 functional MRI runs of a visuomotor task, separated by 25-minutes of task practice, were performed. Within-session between-run change in task-related functional signal was our imaging marker of Plasticity. During session 1, patients were compared with healthy controls. Comparison of patients’ sessions 2 and 3 tested the effect of reduced inflammation on our imaging marker of Plasticity. The proportion of patients with gadolinium-enhancing lesions reduced significantly during IFN beta. In session 1, patients demonstrated a greater between-run difference in functional MRI activity of secondary visual areas and cerebellum than controls. This abnormally large practice-induced signal change in visual areas, and in functionally connected posterior parietal and motor cortices, was reduced in patients in session 3 compared with 2. Our results suggest that MS inflammation alters short-term Plasticity underlying motor practice. Reduction of inflammation with IFN-beta is associated with a restoration of this Plasticity, suggesting that modulation of inflammation may enhance recovery-oriented strategies that rely on patients’ Brain Plasticity.
-
Relating Brain Damage to Brain Plasticity in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 2012Co-Authors: Valentina Tomassini, Heidi Johansen-berg, Saad Jbabdi, Richard Wise, Carlo Pozzilli, Jacqueline Palace, Paul M. MatthewsAbstract:BACKGROUND: Failure of adaptive Plasticity with increasing pathology is suggested to contribute to progression of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, functional impairments can be reduced with practice, suggesting that Brain Plasticity is preserved even in patients with substantial damage. OBJECTIVE: Here, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to probe systems-level mechanisms of Brain Plasticity associated with improvements in visuomotor performance in MS patients and related to measures of microstructural damage. METHODS: 23 MS patients and 12 healthy controls underwent Brain fMRI during the first practice session of a visuomotor task (short-term practice) and after 2 weeks of daily practice with the same task (longer-term practice). Participants also underwent a structural Brain MRI scan. RESULTS: Patients performed more poorly than controls at baseline. Nonetheless, with practice, patients showed performance improvements similar to controls and independent of the extent of MRI measures of Brain pathology. Different relationships between performance improvements and activations were found between groups: greater short-term improvements were associated with lower activation in the sensorimotor, posterior cingulate, and parahippocampal cortices for patients, whereas greater long-term improvements correlated with smaller activation reductions in the visual cortex of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Brain Plasticity for visuomotor practice is preserved in MS patients despite a high burden of cerebral pathology. Cognitive systems different from those acting in controls contribute to this Plasticity in patients. These findings challenge the notion that increasing pathology is accompanied by an outright failure of adaptive Plasticity, supporting a neuroscientific rationale for recovery-oriented strategies even in chronically disabled patients.