University of Florida researchers recently were awarded a $5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to test several treatments for stroke-induced communication problems, collectively known as aphasia. The concept of neural plasticity--the brain being adaptable and able to create new pathways to regain lost function--is the basis for this research that focuses on a combination of drugs and rehabilitation in the form of mental and physical exercises. According to the project's principal investigator, Leslie Gonzales-Rothi, professor of neurology at UF's College of Medicine, "Although results of treatments for individual patients are expected within the first year of the four-year program that was initiated last June, there will not be enough data compiled from which to draw broad conclusions until project completion." Researchers plan to do pre- and post-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of patients to understand the physiological changes due to treatment, with the intent ultimately to be ...
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Florida Receives NIH Grant for Aphasia Treatment University of Florida researchers recently were awarded a $5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to test several treatments for stroke-induced communication problems, collectively known as aphasia. The concept of neural plasticity--the brain being adaptable and able to create new pathways to regain lost function--is the basis for this research that focuses on a combination of drugs and rehabilitation in the form of mental and phy
Written byKate Devine
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