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Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Post-Stroke Fatigue

Award Number: R15HD109737
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/10/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Post-Stroke Fatigue - PROJECT SUMMARY Up to 85% stroke survivors experience post-stroke fatigue (PSF) defined as intensified perceived effort during activities. PSF is a significant barrier to full participation in rehabilitation and negatively affects quality of life after stroke. Despite its well-known impacts, there are very few targeted interventions for PSF largely due to unclear underlying mechanisms. A few brain stimulation studies have suggested a relationship between primary motor cortex (M1) excitability and PSF. Recent clinical trials using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate brain excitability reported mixed clinical efficacy in reducing PSF with unclear mechanisms of action. The proposed research will address the gaps in our knowledge by determining the behavioral and neural correlates of PSF using an experimental design and multimodal approach. Thirty-two individuals with significant fatigue due stroke will be randomly assigned to receive five consecutive sessions of anodal or sham tDCS. Before and after intervention, participants will complete clinical and behavioral assessments of PSF, brain excitability assessment using transcranial magnetic stimulation, and brain connectivity assessment using resting state functional MRI. In aim 1, we will determine if upregulating M1 excitability via tDCS will reduce PSF assessed by clinical and behavioral markers. Aim 2 will utilize brain stimulation and brain imaging techniques to probe the neurophysiological effect of tDCS on PSF. Aim 3 will explore the correlation between behavioral changes and neurophysiological changes to provide further insights into the neural correlates of PSF. Our long-term goal is to develop evidence based, theory-driven interventions to manage PSF. The proposed study is innovative in that it investigates a relative novel intervention to mitigate PSF and adopts a multimodal approach to examine the underlying mechanisms. The comprehensive research will guide the development of treatment targeted the underlying mechanisms of PSF. In addition to its scientific and clinical significances, the proposed research will achieve its educational goals by fostering a group of student researchers and promoting rigorous research cultures within our institute.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $372,870 )
2023	2023	TEXAS WOMANS UNIVERSITY	304 ADMINISTRATION DRIVE	DENTON	TX	76204	DENTON	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	1	9/10/2023	NEW	$372,870
														Subtotal = $372,870

Grand Total All Awards = $372,870

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Behavioral and Neural Correlates of Post-Stroke Fatigue

Award Number: R15HD109737

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/10/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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