Neurostimulation investigations for stroke recovery: TMS, tDCS & tACS

Neurostimulation for stroke recovery is a major research focus, based on the idea that when applied during standard rehabilitation, neurostimulation can enhance neuronal plasticity and thus, facilitate improved recovery. Christian Gerloff, MD, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, discusses the range of neurostimulation techniques and protocols under investigation for post-stroke motor recovery. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive tool that has shown promise in improving upper extremity recovery. Prof. Gerloff highlights multifocal TMS as an exciting technology that may be able to target network dysfunction after stroke. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is also under increased investigation, where oscillatory stimulation is used to trigger network reorganization. This interview took place at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC), 2021.