Neuronal Plasticity and Functional Recovery After Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Ischemic stroke affects many new patients each year. The sequelae of brain ischemia can include lasting sensorimotor and cognitive deficits, which negatively impact quality of life. Currently, treatment options for improving poststroke deficits are limited, and the development of new clinical alternatives to improve functional recovery after stroke is actively under investigation. Anti-Nogo-A immunotherapy to reduce the central nervous system inhibitory environment, cell transplantation strategies, pharmacological agents, and movement-based therapies represent emerging treatments of poststroke deficits through enhancement of neuroanatomical plasticity.

Keywords:

• amphetamine
• hemispatial neglect
• immunotherapy
• movement-based therapies
• myelin-associated outgrowth inhibitors
• Nogo-A
• physical therapy
• rodents
• skilled reaching