Individualized Neuro-Modulation Paired With Cerebellar Therapy
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
Summary
The purpose of this project is to evaluate feasibility and preliminary efficacy of pairing personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with individualized rehabilitation therapy in people with cerebellar damage.
Description
Cerebellar damage causes debilitating ataxia affecting balance, coordination, speech, and cognition. Rehabilitation therapy is the main treatment for ataxia because pharmacological therapeutics are extremely limited. Non-invasive brain stimulation has shown promise in improving motor function and has an excellent safety profile. However, optimal stimulation sites and efficacy when combined with rehabilitation remain unclear. We hypothesize that three weeks of intensive rehabilitation therapy paired with personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) will produce greater functiona…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-75 years * Males and Females * Disorders that predominantly affect the cerebellum: damage from stroke, tumor or degeneration (genetic or non-genetic causes, congenital hypoplasia). Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnoses or impairments that interfere with task execution or data interpretation. * Heart pacemaker or other MRI-incompatible implanted metal device * Metallic foreign body in their eye or head * Experience with severe claustrophobia * Experience discomfort from the MRI scan, such as excessive heating of tattoos * Seizures or history of seizure disorder * Alcoh…
Interventions
- BehavioralTherapy
Each participant will choose a domain that they would like to focus on. Choices are: 1) walking and balance control, 2) hand dexterity and arm control, or 3) speech articulation, prosody, and intelligibility.
Location
- Motion Analysis Lab in the Kennedy Krieger InstituteBaltimore, Maryland