Motivation for Recovery

Increasing activity of the nucleus accumbens may be the critical link, according to this study in nonhuman primates.

In rehabilitation after neurologic injury, such as a stroke, motivation can be an important factor in recovery. Researchers studied monkeys with spinal cord injuries at the C4/5 level of the corticospinal tract to examine the relationship between activity of the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) during early and late recovery.

After lesioning, three macaque monkeys had impaired finger dexterity. Recovery was measured by success on a task requiring a precision grip. Using simultaneous recordings of electrocorticography in the SMC and local field potentials in the NAc, the researchers demonstrated a flow of activity from the NAc to the SMC during early-stage recovery. When the NAc was pharmacologically inactivated during ea…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Motivation for Recovery

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Reviewing Author