Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience - Volume 32, issue 2

Authors: Chauhan, Neelima B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health concern and a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Each year, an estimated 1.7 million Americans sustain TBI of which ~52,000 people die, ~275,000 people are hospitalized and 1,365,000 people are treated as emergency outpatients. Currently there are ~5.3 million Americans living with TBI. TBI is more of a disease process than of an event that is associated with immediate and long-term sensomotor, psychological and cognitive impairments. TBI is the best known established epigenetic risk factor for later development of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. People sustaining TBI are ~4 times …more likely to develop dementia at a later stage than people without TBI. Single brain injury is linked to later development of symptoms resembling Alzheimer's disease while repetitive brain injuries are linked to later development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and/or Dementia Pugilistica (DP). Furthermore, genetic background of ß-amyloid precursor protein (APP), Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), presenilin (PS) and neprilysin (NEP) genes is associated with exacerbation of neurodegenerative process after TBI. This review encompasses acute effects and chronic neurodegenerative consequences after TBI. Show more

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, traumatic axonal injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, dementia pugilistica, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-130354

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 337-365, 2014

Authors: Marangolo, Paola | Fiori, Valentina | Gelfo, Francesca | Shofany, Jacob | Razzano, Carmelina | Caltagirone, Carlo | Angelucci, Francesco

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose: Several studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a useful tool to enhance language recovery in aphasia. It has also been suggested that modulation of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be part of the mechanisms involved in tDCS effects on synaptic connectivity. However, all language studies have previously investigated the effects using unihemispheric stimulation. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of bihemispheric tDCS on language recovery and BDNF serum levels. Methods: Seven aphasic persons underwent an intensive language therapy in two different conditions: real bihemispheric stimulation over the left …and right Broca's areas and a sham condition. Results: After the stimulation, patients exibited a significant recovery in three language tasks (picture description, noun and verb naming) compared to the sham condition which persisted in the follow-up session. No significant differences were found in BDNF serum levels after tDCS stimulation and in the follow-up session. However, a significant positive correlation was present for the real stimulation condition between percent changes in BDNF levels and in the verb naming task. Conclusions: The data suggest that this novel approach may potentiate the recovery of language in chronic aphasia. They also emphasize the importance to further investigate the role of possible biomarkers associated with tDCS treatment response in language recovery. Show more

Keywords: Aphasia, bihemispheric tDCS, Broca's area, language recovery, BDNF

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-130323

Citation: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 367-379, 2014