Title:

Potentation of Cortico-Spinal and Cortico-Bulbar Output to Restore Motor Functions

Elvira Pirondini, PhD

Abstract:

Lesions of the cortico-spinal tract (CST) and cortico-bulbar tract (CBT), resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain tumors, or neurodegenerative disorders, disrupt communication between the cortex and lower motor centers, leading to significant functional deficits in face, upper, or lower limb muscles. However, in most cases, the damage to the descending axons is incomplete offering a potential target for new therapies aimed at improving volitional muscle activation. In her talk, Dr. Pirondini will first present findings demonstrating how targeted stimulation of the motor thalamus can facilitate activation of surviving CST and CBT fibers thereby potentiating motor output and improving motor function following cerebral lesions. She will emphasize the mechanisms underlying thalamic stimulation and discuss optimized stimulation parameters for achieving maximal efficacy. Building on this, Dr. Pirondini will expand on how these mechanisms extend to facial muscle control, with applications for enhancing speech intelligibility and swallowing in dysarthric patients.