Mapping brain activity during shoulder movement in stroke patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study utilizes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural pathways involved in shoulder abduction tasks among individuals who have experienced a stroke. By focusing on the corticospinal and corticoreticular tracts, the research aims to identify which motor pathways are activated during movement, potentially revealing alternative pathways that could be targeted for rehabilitation. The study seeks to generate a novel dataset that can inform future interventions aimed at improving motor control in stroke survivors. Participants will be screened for eligibility based on their ability to perform the task and their medical history.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged at least 18y
* Able to perform shoulder abduction task (confirmed during screening and initial examination)
* Safe to undergo MRI
* Able to follow visual instructions using MRI-compatible vision correction goggles
* No brainstem or cerebellar lesions
* No severe concurrent medical problems
* Cognitive/attentional capacity to focus on a task
* Able to communicate in English or Spanish

Additional inclusion criteria for stroke participants:

* Have sustained only one unilateral subcortical, ischemic lesion in the territory supplied by the Middle Cerebral Artery (confirmed by clinical or radiological reports) at least one year prior to participation in this project
* Paresis confined to one side, with moderate-to-severe motor impairment of the upper limb (Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer score between 10 and 45).

Exclusion Criteria:

* MRI contraindications
* Severe claustrophobia
* Pregnant women
* Prisoners
* Vulnerable populations
* Diagnosis/history of:
* multiple sclerosis
* brain tumor
* brain radiation
* traumatic brain injury
* dementia
* Parkinson's disease
* Concurrent enrollment in an intervention study
* Concurrent use of medications known to suppress central nervous system activity

Where it's running

• Northwestern University
  Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Molly G Bright, DPhil — Northwestern University
• Study coordinator: Michelle Medina, BS
• Email: anvil@northwestern.edu
• Phone: 872-272-7687

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.