Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in Stroke: Recent Results and Developments for Motor Recovery and Aphasia

CHAIR

Gerard Ribbers

PRESENTERS

• Zeb Jonker
• Kerstin Spielmann
• Riemke de Boer

DESCRIPTION

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a promising non-invasive technique to administer brain stimulation treatment that uses direct electrical currents to stimulate specific parts of the brain. tDCS can be used to optimize the effect of regular neurorehabilitation treatments. At the IBIA conference in 2016, a symposium was organized to present a state-of-the-art overview as well as ongoing Dutch studies regarding the effects of tDCS on neurorehabilitation. In this symposium, we will present the results of 2 of these studies in chronic stroke survivors, conducted by the Rotterdam Neurorehabilitation Research group. One study investigates the effect of tDCS on upper and lower limb motor recovery, the second investigates the effect of tDCS on aphasia recovery. In addition, we will present 2 ongoing Dutch studies focusing on upcoming methods to understand the underlying mechanisms of tDCS and to develop individualized tDCS treatment, for example, using the biomarker Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Evaluate the results of a study regarding the effectiveness of tDCS for motor recovery in the upper and lower limb, in stroke survivors.
• Evaluate the results of a study regarding the effectiveness of tDCS for aphasia in stroke survivors.
• Discuss upcoming methods to describe the mechanisms of tDCS and to develop individualized tDCS treatment, for example, using the biomarker Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).