Traumatic Brain Injury and Potential for Neuromodulation

Excerpt

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem with devastating consequences and an enormous socioeconomic burden on individuals and their families. While significant progress has been made in understanding TBI pathophysiology, current interventions are still insufficient to prevent long-term disabilities.

Recent insights on the brain’s innate neuroplasticity provide an array of therapeutic possibilities (yet to be fully understood) that may allow for neuromodulation following a TBI to limit damage and promote recovery. Neuromodulation strategies using various forms of electrical stimulation have recently been applied to treat functional deficits in animal models and clinical stroke trials. The results from these studies suggest that neuromodulation may augment both motor and cognitive deficits after brain injury. As imaging, targeting, and technologies continue to rapidly improve, future studies will validate the feasibility of these techniques and clinical applications for TBI.