Computational models in patients with post-stroke aphasia submitted to transcranial direct current stimulation

• Grant number: 12/09760-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Rubens José Gagliardi
• Grantee: Vitor Serafim de Faria
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). Fundação Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique able to modulate the cortical excitability using a continuous electric current of low intensity and has been the target of studies in patients with post-stroke expressive aphasia, a common symptom after a stroke focal-lesion. Different results post-stimulation are seen in different patients with the same clinical condition. In this context, individualized computational models for tDCS can predict the current flow through the brain and adjacent tissues, considering morphologic and/ or physiologic individual characteristics, allowing the understanding of those clinical differences. Thus, we aim to do a single session of tDCS in 13 patients with post-stroke aphasia and compare with computational models the distribution of current flow responders and non-responders to tDCS. It will be made 1 computational model for the responder's group and 1 model for the non-responder's group and the electric flow will be simulated, visualized, and compared between the groups. We expect the responder's group show a different current distribution than the non-responder's, with a broad current flow. This result can affect the choice of candidates to tDCS, the placement of the electrodes, and impact positively the public health system when tDCS will be elected and approved as a therapy for stroke rehabilitation. (AU)