2010.03.31 - Randy Trumbower - Neural contributions of limb use following CNS injury

    • Wants to translate basic science to clinical pertaining to restoration of limb function
    • Neural structures -> mechanisms -> limb functions -> interventions -> Neural structures
    • Spinal mechanisms - stretch reflexes and Ia afferents
      • What structure controls reflexes?
    • Stroke patients' reflexes
      • short latency exaggerated
      • long latency attenuated
    • Perturbation applied: admittance/displacement controlled
    • Paretic and non-paretic arms both have missing long-latency reflex in stroke
    • Need a link between abnormal reflexes and whole limb impairment
      • Flexion: shoulder up and hand toward mouth
      • Extension: shoulder down head away from body
    • Stroke patients required fewer patterns to recreate EMG
    • Similar activation patterns but one pattern is used much more than the others in stroke
    • Intermittent Hypoxia
      • Use it to increase sensorimotor performance
      • Potential mechanism is that it helps aid plasticity