Mechanisms of Human Plasticity in the Human System

NCT00001661 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 97004897-N-0048
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 260
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the physiology associated with plasticity of the motor system. Plasticity refers to the process by which neighboring brain cells assume the responsibilities of damaged or diseased brain cells. The mechanisms behind this process are unknown. However, researchers have several theories about how plastic changes take place. Possible explanations include the growth of new connections between brain cells and the use of previously unused connections. Researchers plan to use transcranial magnetic stimulation and drug intervention in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for specific types of plasticity. Previous studies have shown that certain drugs can affect the mechanisms involved in these changes. By using one drug at a time, researchers plan to evaluate the role of each of several different mechanisms in brain reorganization.

Conditions

Blindness; Cerebrovascular Accident; Spinal Cord Injury

Keywords

Plasticity; Use; Stroke; Spinal Cord Injury; Amputation; Intracortical Inhibition

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Must be over 18 years of age. Must not have personal history of seizures, loss of consciousness, hypertension, psychosis, heart conditions or allergies to any of the drugs. Women must not be nursing or pregnant. Patients may have amputations, spinal cord injuries, blindness or large hemispheric lesions from stroke.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Cohen LG, Bandinelli S, Findley TW, Hallett M. Motor reorganization after upper limb amputation in man. A study with focal magnetic stimulation. Brain. 1991 Feb;114 ( Pt 1B):615-27. doi: 10.1093/brain/114.1.615.

  PMID: 2004259 BACKGROUND

• Ziemann U, Lonnecker S, Steinhoff BJ, Paulus W. Effects of antiepileptic drugs on motor cortex excitability in humans: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. Ann Neurol. 1996 Sep;40(3):367-78. doi: 10.1002/ana.410400306.

  PMID: 8797526 BACKGROUND

• Brasil-Neto JP, Valls-Sole J, Pascual-Leone A, Cammarota A, Amassian VE, Cracco R, Maccabee P, Cracco J, Hallett M, Cohen LG. Rapid modulation of human cortical motor outputs following ischaemic nerve block. Brain. 1993 Jun;116 ( Pt 3):511-25. doi: 10.1093/brain/116.3.511.

  PMID: 8513390 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Blindness; Stroke; Spinal Cord Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vision Disorders; Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Eye Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Spinal Cord Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: November 4, 1999
• Study Start: December 1, 1996
• Study Completion: March 1, 2002
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2002-03

Locations

US (1)