News and Events

May 2004

Cortical Stimulation Study Comes to UC; PM&R to Lead UC Contingent

Dr. Stephen Page, Director of the NmRRL and Director of Research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Mr. Peter Levine, NmRRL Co-Director and Senior Research Assistant, will lead a University of Cincinnati Team investigating the effects of an implanted cortical stimulator on motor recovery in stroke. The study team will also include Dr. Raj Narayan (Chairman, Neurosurgery), Dr. Brett Kissela (Neurology), Dr. Jerzy Szaflarski (Neurology; Center for Imaging Research), and Dr. Jing Huei Lee (Biomedical Engineering; Center for Imaging Research)

Noted Dr. Page, "With ongoing collaborations with the Stroke Team, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and the Center for Imaging Research, this is precisely the type of collaborative study at which we will excel. We have superior clinical sites where data can be collected, a strong and established network for recruitment of qualified patients, and outstanding relationships with the departments involved. I am certain that everyone will benefit."

The study will involve fMRI analysis of eligible stroke patients' brains, led By Szaflarski and Lee, followed by implantation of a small cortical stimulator by Dr. Narayan in randomly selected patients. Dr. Page and Mr. Levine will next assess all patients' motor impairment and disability levels, followed by a program of stimulation and physical therapy, and additional assessment. Dr. Kissela will monitor participants' neurologic status throughput the study. The entire study will take approximately 1-2 years to complete.

"We hope," notes Page, "that these results will not only be positive, but that this project will create future 'spin off' studies examining the efficacy of this approach in specific populations. This will be a promising first step, but more research will certainly be warranted."