Junichi Ushiba

Abstract Post-stroke hemiplegia of the upper extremities continues to pose a significant therapeutic hurdle. Contralesional uncrossed corticospinal pathways (CST) are involved in the recovery processes. We test the safety, and preliminary efficacy of targeted upregulation of uncrossed CST excitability through self-modulation of cortical activities via noninvasive brain-machine interaction training (Registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network: UMIN000017525).

Abstract Kinesthetic motor imagery, the mental rehearsal of movement and its associated sensations activates somatosensory and motor cortices. Motor imagery improves performance in neurorehabilitation, sports, and instrument play. However, the mechanism that enhances performance through repetitive motor imagery remains unclear.

Brain-controlled prosthetic robots that restore independent activities of daily living to paralyzed people are about to enter everyday life environments (1). The regained ability to grasp a cup of coffee, hand over a credit card, or sign a document with a pen (1) enhances the independence and self-determination of severely paralyzed individuals.