Changes in sensory and motor brain connections after stroke
Shift from Unilateral to Bilateral Sensory-Motor Connectivity in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke
This project looks at how touch and movement signals move between brain halves in people with chronic one-sided (hemiparetic) stroke and how that relates to arm and hand movement problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11167604 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll take part in tests that measure how your affected arm sends sensory signals to the brain and how your brain controls movement. The team will use brain imaging and neurophysiology recordings while you feel or move your hand to map whether sensory information transfers to the opposite (contralesional) hemisphere. They'll compare people who show the flexion synergy and spasticity with those who do not to link the sensory changes to abnormal arm movement. The goal is to understand whether this sensory 'shift' helps cause the awkward muscle co-activation that limits reach and hand opening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic hemiparetic stroke who have persistent arm and hand weakness, abnormal flexion synergy, or spasticity would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: People without unilateral hemiparetic stroke, those in the very early acute stage, or those with other major neurological disorders are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets for rehabilitation or therapies to improve arm and hand function after stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked abnormal arm movements to increased contralesional motor pathway use, but directly studying a shift of sensory signals to the opposite hemisphere is relatively new and has limited prior human evidence.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Yuan — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Yang, Yuan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.