New Stroke Treatments Inspired by Alternative Understanding of Brain

Introduction

For decades, scientists believed that movements on either side of the body were controlled by the opposite hemisphere of the brain. However, recent research by Robert Sainburg of Penn State University proposes that both hemispheres of the brain contribute to different aspects of movement, leading to a better understanding of how the brain works and guiding the development of new treatments for people who have experienced strokes. This article will discuss the complementary dominance hypothesis, the impact of stroke on both sides of the body, and how this new understanding is being applied in stroke rehabilitation therapies.

The Complementary Dominance Hypothesis

The complementary dominance hypothesis proposes that both hemispheres of the brain contribute to movement on both sides of the body. The dominant hemisphere of the brain is better at smooth, accurate, and efficient limb movements, while the non-dominant hemisphere is better at stabilizing the arm in unpredictable situations. Both sides access both hemispheres of the brain, but rely more heavily on the specialization of the opposite hemisphere. Through their research, Sainburg and his colleagues have found that this hypothesis has strong evidence of lateralization, and that people who have strokes on one side of the brain can experience loss of control on both sides of their bodies.

The Impact of Stroke on Both Sides of the Body

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year. When a stroke occurs, it interrupts blood flow to the brain, damaging parts of the brain that control movement and disrupting communication between the brain and muscles. Previously, the standard course of physical rehabilitation for stroke patients was to improve function on the side of the body most affected by the stroke. However, research by Sainburg and others has demonstrated that both sides of the body can be affected by a significant stroke, and that deficits can emerge on the less-impaired side of the body following a stroke.

New Stroke Rehabilitation Therapies

Studies by Sainburg and his co-authors have led to the development of new rehabilitation practices for stroke victims, tailored to the deficits in the less-impaired arm following a stroke. In a proof-of-concept pilot study, stroke patients played virtual air hockey with their left hand to rehabilitate the accuracy of their directional movement, or traced mazes with their right hand to rehabilitate the accuracy of the destination of their hand. After three weeks of training, patients were significantly faster at completing hand function tests, and retained the gains six weeks later. These findings are informing clinical trials to test new interventions for people who have experienced strokes, with preliminary results showing promise.

Conclusion

The complementary dominance hypothesis has led to a better understanding of how the brain works and is guiding the development of new treatments for people who have experienced strokes. Researchers have found that both sides of the body can be affected by a significant stroke, leading to deficits in the less-impaired arm as well. These findings are informing new stroke rehabilitation therapies, with early results showing promise in improving stroke survivors’ recovery. With stroke as a significant public health burden, studies like these are a step towards improving how neurological injuries are treated and getting people back to doing meaningful things in their daily lives.

Originally Post From https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-07-alternative-brain-treatments-patients.html

Revolutionary Approach to Brain Studies Redefines Stroke Treatment Options