Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for a Patient with Locked-in Syndrome

Locked-in syndrome (LIS) was first introduced by Plum and Posner. It refers to the combination of quadriplegia and anarthria brought about by disruption of the corticospinal and corticobulbar pathways of the brain stem, respectively [1]. Patients with LIS are alert and aware of their environment but cannot speak or move their limbs. They retain the capacity to use vertical eye movements and blinking to communicate. LIS occurs following disruption of the motor tracts in the ventral brain stem and at least 60% of the cases are caused by stroke [2].Early and intensive rehabilitation reportedly improves the functional outcome and reduces the mortality following LIS [3].
Source: BRAIN STIMULATION: Basic, Translational, and Clinical Research in Neuromodulation - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research