Wise Young
08-06-2001, 12:30 AM
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/a1b/show/NCT00001661?order=16&JServSession Idzone_ct=zhn5b9gan1 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/a1b/show/NCT00001661?order=16&JServSessionIdzone_ct=zhn5b9gan1)
Mechanisms of Human Plasticity in the Human System
This study is currently recruiting patients.
Sponsored by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Purpose
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.
Condition
Blindness
Cerebrovascular Accident
Spinal Cord Injury
MEDLINEplusrelated topics:SpinalCordInjuries; Stroke; VisionDisorders&Blindness
Study Type:Natural History
Official Title:Mechanisms of Plasticity in the Human Motor System
Further Study Details:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the physiology associated with plasticity of the motor system seen in a number of different circumstances. Techniques used will involve the combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and pharmacologic interventions. We propose to use drugs judged to be safe, that either potentiate GABA related intracortical inhibition, change presynaptic release of excitatory aminoacids like glutamate, or decrease the activity of the NMDA receptors (mostly antiepileptic drugs). If plastic changes expressed as larger motor maps or motor evoked potentials (MEP) to TMS are secondary to intracortical disinhibition, administration of a drug that potentiates intracortical inhibition may result in decreased plasticity and smaller motor maps or MEP. This finding would then identify intracortical disinhibition as the mechanism responsible for this type of plasticity. Similarly, if plastic changes decrease with a drug that inhibits release of excitatory aminoacids, or that antagonize the action of NMDA receptors, the mechanism underlying plasticity is likely to be mediated by modulation in the release of excitatory aminoacids or activity in NMDA-receptors.
Results from this study will then provide information about the relative involvement of intracortical disinhibition, modulation in the release of excitatory aminoacids, and role of NMDA receptors in different settings of human plasticity.
Eligibility
Genders Eligible for Study: Both
Criteria
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.
Location and Contact Information
Maryland
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS),9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States;Recruiting
PRPL 1-800-411-1222 prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
More Information
Detailed Web Page
Publications
Cohen. 1991. Motor reorganization after upper limb amputation in man, Brain, Vol. 114, p. 615
Ziemann. 1996. Differential effects of various antiepileptic drugs on motor cortex excitability in man; a transcranial magnetic stimulation study, Ann Neurol, Vol. 40, p. 367
Brasil-Neto. 1993. Rapid modulation of human cortical motor outputs following ischemic nerve block, Brain, Vol. 116, p. 511
Study ID Numbers 97-N-0048
NLM Identifier NCT00001661
Date study startedDecember 23, 1996
Record last reviewed September 20, 2000
Last Updated September 20, 2000
[This message was edited by Wise Young on August 06, 2001 at 12:33 PM.]
Mechanisms of Human Plasticity in the Human System
This study is currently recruiting patients.
Sponsored by
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Purpose
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.
Condition
Blindness
Cerebrovascular Accident
Spinal Cord Injury
MEDLINEplusrelated topics:SpinalCordInjuries; Stroke; VisionDisorders&Blindness
Study Type:Natural History
Official Title:Mechanisms of Plasticity in the Human Motor System
Further Study Details:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the physiology associated with plasticity of the motor system seen in a number of different circumstances. Techniques used will involve the combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and pharmacologic interventions. We propose to use drugs judged to be safe, that either potentiate GABA related intracortical inhibition, change presynaptic release of excitatory aminoacids like glutamate, or decrease the activity of the NMDA receptors (mostly antiepileptic drugs). If plastic changes expressed as larger motor maps or motor evoked potentials (MEP) to TMS are secondary to intracortical disinhibition, administration of a drug that potentiates intracortical inhibition may result in decreased plasticity and smaller motor maps or MEP. This finding would then identify intracortical disinhibition as the mechanism responsible for this type of plasticity. Similarly, if plastic changes decrease with a drug that inhibits release of excitatory aminoacids, or that antagonize the action of NMDA receptors, the mechanism underlying plasticity is likely to be mediated by modulation in the release of excitatory aminoacids or activity in NMDA-receptors.
Results from this study will then provide information about the relative involvement of intracortical disinhibition, modulation in the release of excitatory aminoacids, and role of NMDA receptors in different settings of human plasticity.
Eligibility
Genders Eligible for Study: Both
Criteria
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.
Location and Contact Information
Maryland
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS),9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States;Recruiting
PRPL 1-800-411-1222 prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
More Information
Detailed Web Page
Publications
Cohen. 1991. Motor reorganization after upper limb amputation in man, Brain, Vol. 114, p. 615
Ziemann. 1996. Differential effects of various antiepileptic drugs on motor cortex excitability in man; a transcranial magnetic stimulation study, Ann Neurol, Vol. 40, p. 367
Brasil-Neto. 1993. Rapid modulation of human cortical motor outputs following ischemic nerve block, Brain, Vol. 116, p. 511
Study ID Numbers 97-N-0048
NLM Identifier NCT00001661
Date study startedDecember 23, 1996
Record last reviewed September 20, 2000
Last Updated September 20, 2000
[This message was edited by Wise Young on August 06, 2001 at 12:33 PM.]