Motor Recovery in Recent Stroke Patients Treated With Amphetamine and Physical Therapy

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if giving amphetamines along with standard rehabilitation speeds motor recovery after a stroke. In addition, if motor recovery is improved, the study will also identify the areas of the brain involved with the recovery. Researchers will use motor function ratings, PET scans, functional MRI (fMRI), electroencephalographs, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to evaluate patients. Patients participating in the study will be placed in one of two groups; 1. Patients receiving dextroamphetamine and routine Rehabilitation Medicine 2. Patients receiving a placebo "sugar pill" and routine Rehabilitation Medicine Patients that have improved motor recovery will undergo neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies to identify areas of the brain involved.

Timeline

Start

1998-04

Primary completion

—

Completion

2004-06

Publications

• Background Feeney DM, Gonzalez A, Law WA. Amphetamine, haloperidol, and experience interact to affect rate of recovery after motor cortex injury. Science. 1982 Aug 27;217(4562):855-7. doi: 10.1126/science.7100929.
• Background Crisostomo EA, Duncan PW, Propst M, Dawson DV, Davis JN. Evidence that amphetamine with physical therapy promotes recovery of motor function in stroke patients. Ann Neurol. 1988 Jan;23(1):94-7. doi: 10.1002/ana.410230117.
• Background Walker-Batson D, Smith P, Curtis S, Unwin H, Greenlee R. Amphetamine paired with physical therapy accelerates motor recovery after stroke. Further evidence. Stroke. 1995 Dec;26(12):2254-9. doi: 10.1161/01.str.26.12.2254.

Drugs

Indications