About this Research Topic
Central neurological disorders (e.g. stroke and traumatic brain injury) are a leading cause of acquired long-term motor disability, and for many people with such disorders, independence in daily activities and quality of life remain impaired. Rehabilitation aims to facilitate and enhance the recovery of motor function using a combination of restitution-orientated and/or compensation-oriented treatment strategies. Restitution refers to restoring the quality of movement while compensation relates to learning new ways to use the residual capacity to accomplish a task. Yet, rehabilitation training designed to improve motor recovery has been only partially successful in experimental trials.
Neural reorganization is a critical driver of motor recovery, but it can also produce maladaptive effects and may eventually interfere with motor recovery in some people that suffered from central neurological disorders. Despite some advances in the understanding of mechanisms of motor recovery, current knowledge about its underlying (patho-)physiological processes remains scarce. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that enhance or prevent motor recovery and develop informed therapeutic interventions based on neurobiological knowledge and evidence. This is expected to promote recovery of motor function while attempting to distinguish behavioural restitution from behavioural compensation. The aim of the proposed research topic is to bring together different disciplines and scientific domains that are focused on: (1) elucidating mechanisms of adaptive and maladaptive neuroplasticity underlying motor recovery, and (2) finding effective theory-driven therapeutic interventions as well as technology-based solutions for improving motor recovery.
We welcome papers concerned with theoretical and/or practical clinical aspects of motor recovery in central neurological disorders, including the following subtopics: (1) Identifying the neural substrates underlying motor performance and motor recovery in humans with central neurological disorders (e.g. abnormal structure-motor function relationships of the human nervous system based on Voxel-Based Lesion Symptom Mapping studies, fMRI studies and other techniques).(2)Understanding the mechanisms underlying motor recovery in humans with central neurological disorders (e.g. TMS studies). (3) Theoretically-driven clinical studies in neurorehabilitation of motor behaviour (e.g. brain stimulation studies and technology-based clinical studies). (4) Clinical studies that use biomarkers for patient stratification and potential personalized treatment approach to identify patients who may be responsive to a therapeutic intervention.
Neural reorganization is a critical driver of motor recovery, but it can also produce maladaptive effects and may eventually interfere with motor recovery in some people that suffered from central neurological disorders. Despite some advances in the understanding of mechanisms of motor recovery, current knowledge about its underlying (patho-)physiological processes remains scarce. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that enhance or prevent motor recovery and develop informed therapeutic interventions based on neurobiological knowledge and evidence. This is expected to promote recovery of motor function while attempting to distinguish behavioural restitution from behavioural compensation. The aim of the proposed research topic is to bring together different disciplines and scientific domains that are focused on: (1) elucidating mechanisms of adaptive and maladaptive neuroplasticity underlying motor recovery, and (2) finding effective theory-driven therapeutic interventions as well as technology-based solutions for improving motor recovery.
We welcome papers concerned with theoretical and/or practical clinical aspects of motor recovery in central neurological disorders, including the following subtopics: (1) Identifying the neural substrates underlying motor performance and motor recovery in humans with central neurological disorders (e.g. abnormal structure-motor function relationships of the human nervous system based on Voxel-Based Lesion Symptom Mapping studies, fMRI studies and other techniques).(2)Understanding the mechanisms underlying motor recovery in humans with central neurological disorders (e.g. TMS studies). (3) Theoretically-driven clinical studies in neurorehabilitation of motor behaviour (e.g. brain stimulation studies and technology-based clinical studies). (4) Clinical studies that use biomarkers for patient stratification and potential personalized treatment approach to identify patients who may be responsive to a therapeutic intervention.
Keywords: Motor Recovery, Neurological Disorders, Neurorehabilitation, Mechanism, Therapy, Neuroplasticity, Restitution, Compensation Rehabilitation Technology
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