Stroke Rehabilitation Requires Intact Brain Hemisphere Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Florida, Florida, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 5, 2012 -- Stroke Rehabilitation Requires Intact Brain Hemisphere Communication, Scientists Say
Scientists exploring stroke rehabilitation therapy have announced the results of a study that proves that an intact corpus callosum is required to recover from stroke.

Florida—A recent study reported in the journal Human Brain Mapping promises to shed light on new techniques for stroke rehabilitation therapy. According to the study, stroke patients with severely impaired hand movement have a damaged corpus callosum, which is a thick band of nerve fibers that connects the two halves of the brain and enables them to exchange information.

The study utilized the latest achievements in brain mapping technology. Scientists told stroke patients to tap with the hand affected by the stroke, then recorded their brain activity using a functional MRI. Compared to healthy subjects, stroke patients had lower tapping speed and increased brain activity. Using a diffusion-based MRI, which studies nerve fibers in much greater detail, scientists showed that stroke patients tend to be damaged in the corpus callosum region of their brains. In general, the lower the tapping speed and more increased the brain activity, the more damaged the stroke patients’ corpus callosum was. This result is astonishing, as before it was thought that cell death in the actual stroke area caused motor damage.

Scientists theorize that the results of this study will have enormous effects on stroke rehabilitation therapy. They hope that early and regular stimulation treatment will improve the communication between the hemispheres and therefore allow stroke patients to experience better motor control. The health professionals at the Florida Institute for Neurological Rehabilitation will continue to closely monitor developments in this area . FINR is one of the nation’s leaders in Florida stroke rehabilitation. Incorporating the latest scientific advances, the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation allows every patient to reach their highest levels of stroke recovery.
The Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation offers clinically sound, high-quality, cost-effective support for those living with brain injuries. All programs are staffed by professionals, often multilingual and always trained in relevant therapeutic disciplines, who work in cohesive teams. They also offer family support services.

The Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation
800-697-5390
www.finr.net