Neurotransmitter could improve post-stroke rehabilitation

Neurotransmitter could improve post-stroke rehabilitation

March 10, 2011
Christian Grefkes from the Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research in cooperation with scientists from the Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine of the Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Department of Neurology of the University Hospital of Cologne looked at eleven stroke patients (between 42 and 74 years old) with fine motor deficits. The group carried out a range of motor tasks which involved the determination of maximum grip power and finger-tapping frequency and the execution of pointing movements. The group showed that by reducing the rate of uptake of noradrenaline which in effect prolongs the efficiency of noradrenaline improves motor skills in stroke patient.

Intensive active exercise practice provided by the HandTutor, ArmTutor and LegTutor system has proven effective in improving functional movement ability in post stroke patients.