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Portable neuromodulation induces neuroplasticity to re-activate motor function recovery from brain injury: a high-density MEG case study D'Arc, Ryan C. N.; Greene, Trevor; Green, Debbie; Frehlick, Zack; Flickling, Shaun D.; Campbell, Natasha; Etheridge, Tori; Smith, Christopher; Bollinger, Fabio; Danilov, Yuri; Livingstone, Ashley; Tannouri, Pamela; Martin, Pauline; Lakhani, Bimal

Abstract

Background: In a recent high-profile case study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor improvements in motor function related to neuroplasticity following rehabilitation for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The findings demonstrated that motor function improvements can occur years beyond current established limits. The current study extends the functional imaging investigation to characterize neuromodulation effects on neuroplasticity to further push the limits. Methods: Canadian Soldier Captain (retired) Trevor Greene (TG) survived a severe open-TBI when attacked with an axe during a 2006 combat tour in Afghanistan. TG has since continued intensive daily rehabilitation to recover motor function, experiencing an extended plateau using conventional physical therapy. To overcome this plateau, we paired translingual neurostimulation (TLNS) with the continuing rehabilitation program. Results: Combining TLNS with rehabilitation resulted in demonstrable clinical improvements along with corresponding changes in movement evoked electro-encephalography (EEG) activity. High-density magneto-encephalography (MEG) characterized cortical activation changes in corresponding beta frequency range (27 Hz). MEG activation changes corresponded with reduced interhemispheric inhibition in the post-central gyri regions together with increased right superior/middle frontal activation suggesting large scale network level changes. Conclusions: The findings provide valuable insight into the potential importance of non-invasive neuromodulation to enhance neuroplasticity mechanisms for recovery beyond the perceived limits of rehabilitation.

Item Metadata

Title
Portable neuromodulation induces neuroplasticity to re-activate motor function recovery from brain injury: a high-density MEG case study
Creator
D'Arc, Ryan C. N.; Greene, Trevor; Green, Debbie; Frehlick, Zack; Flickling, Shaun D.; Campbell, Natasha; Etheridge, Tori; Smith, Christopher; Bollinger, Fabio; Danilov, Yuri; Livingstone, Ashley; Tannouri, Pamela; Martin, Pauline; Lakhani, Bimal
Contributor
Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
Publisher
BioMed Central
Date Issued
2020-12-01
Description
Background: In a recent high-profile case study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor improvements in motor function related to neuroplasticity following rehabilitation for severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The findings demonstrated that motor function improvements can occur years beyond current established limits. The current study extends the functional imaging investigation to characterize neuromodulation effects on neuroplasticity to further push the limits. Methods: Canadian Soldier Captain (retired) Trevor Greene (TG) survived a severe open-TBI when attacked with an axe during a 2006 combat tour in Afghanistan. TG has since continued intensive daily rehabilitation to recover motor function, experiencing an extended plateau using conventional physical therapy. To overcome this plateau, we paired translingual neurostimulation (TLNS) with the continuing rehabilitation program. Results: Combining TLNS with rehabilitation resulted in demonstrable clinical improvements along with corresponding changes in movement evoked electro-encephalography (EEG) activity. High-density magneto-encephalography (MEG) characterized cortical activation changes in corresponding beta frequency range (27 Hz). MEG activation changes corresponded with reduced interhemispheric inhibition in the post-central gyri regions together with increased right superior/middle frontal activation suggesting large scale network level changes. Conclusions: The findings provide valuable insight into the potential importance of non-invasive neuromodulation to enhance neuroplasticity mechanisms for recovery beyond the perceived limits of rehabilitation.
Subject
Traumatic brain injury (TBI); Motor function; Neuroplasticity; Portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS); Translingual neurostimulation (TLNS); Magnetoencephalography (MEG); Electroencephalography (EEG); Brain vital signs; Functional connectivity; Rehabilitation
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2020-12-03
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
DOI
10.14288/1.0395132
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/76648
Affiliation
Other UBC; Non UBC
Citation
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2020 Dec 01;17(1):158
Publisher DOI
10.1186/s12984-020-00772-5
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty
Copyright Holder
The Author(s)
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)