fMRI & DTI to Study Neural Correlates in Controlled Brain Stimulation for Post Stroke Rehabilitation

Motivation: To study the impact of closed-loop brain stimulation in neuroplasticity in stroke rehabilitation. Goal(s): In this study we investigate with fMRI and diffusion tensor MR imaging the neural correlates with closed loop brain stimulation in stroke. Approach: fMRI and DTI for six subjects was taken in a pilot case-control study. Results: fMRI and DTI both showed higher cortical activity and increase in FA values for ipsilesional CST in cohort of patients with TMS-robotic intervention than the control group. Impact: A brain stimulation system integrated with an exoskeleton, providing a real-time bidirectional feedback mechanism for patients, has been shown to actively involve patients in their rehabilitation journey.