Enhanced Motor Recovery Using Serotonergic Agents in Stroke

The information derived from this study will be critical to establishing appropriate rehabilitative interventions post-stroke. In particular, traditional use of pharmacological agents to alter motor function post-stroke is directed primarily at reducing the "positive" signs following upper motor neuron lesion, in particular spasticity, or enhanced, velocity-dependent stretch reflex responses to imposed stretch (Sanger 2004). While pharmacological management of spasticity certainly suppresses clinical and quantitative measures of hypertonia, there is little improvement in functional performance. In contrast, preliminary data on the administration of 5HT agents following neurological injury indicates an increase in motor performance (Pariente 2001) and recovery (Dam 1996), despite an increase in spastic motor activity (Stolp-Smith 1999; see Preliminary Data below). Understanding methods to maximize function following stroke despite potential, short-term increases in spastic motor activity may improve therapeutic intervention strategies. The general objective of this study is therefore to:

1. quantify the effects of short-term SSRI administration on voluntary and spastic motor behaviors in individuals with chronic spastic hemiparesis,
2. identify the changes in impairments and functional recovery of walking ability during BWSTT with the presence or absence of SSRIs.