Abstract
Background.
Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, but treatment options
remain limited, leaving most patients with incomplete recovery. Patient
and animal studies have shown potential of noninvasive brain stimulation
(NIBS) strategies to improve function after stroke. However, mechanisms
underlying therapeutic effects of NIBS are unclear and there is no
consensus on which NIBS protocols are most effective.
Objective.
Provide a review of articles that assessed effects and mechanisms of
repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial
direct current stimulation (tDCS) in animal stroke models.
Methods. Articles were searched in PubMed, including cross-references. Results.
Nineteen eligible studies reporting effects of rTMS or tDCS after
stroke in small rodents were identified. Seventeen of those described
improved functional recovery or neuroprotection compared with untreated
control or sham-stimulated groups. The effects of rTMS could be related
to molecular mechanisms associated with ischemic tolerance,
neuroprotection, anti-apoptosis, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, or
neuroplasticity. Favorable outcome appeared most effectively when using
high-frequency (>5 Hz) rTMS or intermittent theta burst stimulation
of the ipsilesional hemisphere. tDCS effects were strongly dependent on
stimulation polarity and onset time. Although these findings are
promising, most studies did not meet Good Laboratory Practice assessment
criteria.
Conclusions. Despite limited data availability, animal
stroke model studies demonstrate potential of NIBS to promote stroke
recovery through different working mechanisms. Future studies in animal
stroke models should adhere to Good Laboratory Practice guidelines and
aim to further develop clinically applicable treatment protocols by
identifying most favorable stimulation parameters, treatment onset,
adjuvant therapies, and underlying modes of action.
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