Research Projects
Descriptions of our ongoing studies can be found below. If you are a stroke survivor or a healthy adult and would like to take part in research, please contact the researchers below.
ReCAPS
The ReCAPS Study is investigating changes in cortical excitability after stroke, in patients with upper limb impairment. Research suggests that cortical excitability can differ in the early and chronic post-stroke phases, and that these differences may correspond with changes in the rate of recovery.
The study is also exploring the therapeutic potential of non-invasive brain stimulation to enhance brain plasticity. We are assessing whether the effects of brain stimulation differ when applied early compared to late after stroke, and whether current flow modelling can be used to dose-control stimulation and reduce variability in outcome measures.
For more information about the study, please go to the ReCAPS Study website
If you would like to take part, please get in touch with Dr Carys Evans carys.evans@ucl.ac.uk or Jenny Lee jenny.lee@ucl.ac.uk.
Mapping current flow with MRI
This study is using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualise how electrical current, produced by non-invasive brain stimulation, is moving across the brain. We are interested in whether the pattern of current flow across the brain is different in individuals who have had a stroke. By knowing more about how current is moving through the brain we hope that we can improve the targeting of brain stimulation interventions.
Biomarkers of early stroke recovery (BEST) study
Previous research has found that it is very difficult to predict whether stroke survivors with a severely impaired arm will recover well or not. This study involves measuring brain activity, using magnetoencephalography (MEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to identify neurological biomarkers that may help us to understand the process of recovery. In the future we may be able to use these biomarkers to predict how well stroke survivors will recover. This is important as it will help to provide individually tailored rehabilitation therapy.
This study has been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.