My interests lie within the area of brain network plasticity as it pertains to neurorehabilitation, particularly in recovery from stroke. I am trying to apply a two-pronged approach to this difficult problem. First I am using the novel technique of resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) to evaluate the overall integrity of distributed brain networks in the acute and chronic phases after stroke. With this approach I hope to identify specific patterns of functional connectivity that are useful prognostic indicators and that may give us insight into the mechanisms of endogenous recovery. Second, I plan to investigate whether activity-based therapies or non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation can modulate resting state functional connectivity and lead to improved clinical outcomes.

Stroke rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, neuroimaging, brain stimulation

• Information for Patients