Tactile Learning in Stroke Patients
Stroke
About this trial
This is an observational trial for Stroke focused on measuring Haptic Skills, Implicit Tactile Learning, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Stroke, Healthy Volunteer, HV
Eligibility Criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA: We will include left- and right-handed stroke patients, aged 18-90 years, with thromboembolic or hemorrhagic hemispheric lesions at least 3 months after the stroke. We will choose patients who initially had a severe motor paresis (below MRC grade 2), and subsequently recovered to the point that they have a residual motor deficit but can perform the required tasks. Moreover, only chronic stroke patients with moderate tactile deficits (defined by absolute touch thresholds below 4 N using von Frey filaments) who are able to differentiate the alignment of a grating dome (either orthogonal or parallel to the index finger) of at least 5 mm grooves that is applied on the fingertip will be included in the protocol. Assessment of the initial functional state will be taken either from patient reports or medical records. Right-handed healthy volunteers, aged 18-90 years, should be able to concentrate on the required tasks. Handedness will be assessed by the Edinburgh inventory scale as well as the hand dominance test (HDT). We will additionally perform a pregnancy test for women of child-bearing potential. All experimental sessions will be on outpatient basis. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Chronic stroke patients will be not be eligible for the study if they: are unable to perform the behavioral tasks, have a sensory neglect, have had more than one clinical stroke, have both sides of the brain affected, have had a stroke in the cerebellum or brainstem, have a history of alcohol or drug abuse or severe language disturbances or serious cognitive deficits, have uncontrolled medical problems, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, epilepsy or diabetes mellitus, have severe tactile deficits (defined by Frey filaments exerting a force of 4 N to the distal pad of the finger on the paretic and non-paretic hand), are pregnant, have a cardiac pacemaker, intracardiac lines, implanted medication pumps, neural stimulators, metal in the cranium, with the exception of dental braces in the mouth. Exclusion criteria for healthy volunteers: Healthy volunteers will not be eligible for the study if they: are unable to perform the tasks, have a history of alcohol or drug abuse or severe language disturbances or serious cognitive deficits, have uncontrolled medical problems, such as heart, lung or kidney disease, epilepsy or diabetes mellitus, have severe tactile deficits (defined by Frey filaments exerting a force of 4 N to the distal pad of the finger), are pregnant, have a cardiac pacemaker, intracardiac lines, implanted medication pumps, neural stimulators, metal in the cranium except in the mouth, dental braces.
Sites / Locations
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike