Brain and Nerve Stimulation for Hand Muscles in Spinal Cord Injury and ALS

Most neurological injuries such as spinal cord injuries (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spare a portion of nerve circuitry. Strengthening spared nerve circuits represents a critical method to improve functional recovery. Different forms of magnetic and electrical stimulation have been used to activate brain, spinal cord, nerve, or muscle tissue. Although in some cases, surgically implanted electrical stimulation has delivered tremendous benefit, a non-invasive approach to nerve stimulation is preferable.

In this proposed study, the investigators aim to use non-invasive magnetic and electrical stimulation to strengthen motor circuits between the brain and hands. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be combined with either electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist; or electrical transcutaneous stimulation of the cervical spinal cord. Magnetic and electrical stimulation will be precisely timed so that the pulses arrive at the target spinal motor neurons at roughly the same time - this precise timing is responsible for the phenomenon of "spike timing-dependent plasticity".

Three groups of participants will be studied: individuals with chronic incomplete cervical SCI (n=12), individuals with definite or probable ALS (n=6), and individuals without neurological injury or disease (n=12). Subjects with SCI or ALS will have one screening visit to confirm eligibility for the study. All subjects will then undergo one baseline testing session followed by 7 sessions of unpaired or paired magnetic and electrical stimulation. Functional and physiological testing will be conducted prior to each stimulation session, then at 0, 15, 30, and 90 minutes post each session. Key measures include grip strength dynamometry, timed performance on a hand dexterity test, amplitude of abductor pollicis brevis (APB) response to TMS, integrated amplitude of APB F-wave responses, and duration of the 'cortical silent period' after TMS stimulation during APB contraction.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A PRELIMINARY STUDY. This study is testing for temporary changes in nerve transmission and hand function. THERE IS NO EXPECTATION OF LONG-TERM BENEFIT FROM THIS STUDY. If we see temporary changes in this study, then future studies would focus on how to prolong that effect.

Inclusion criteria

• Males or females age 21-65 years;
• No history of serious neurological injury or disease; OR
• Chronic (>12 months since injury) incomplete SCI between levels C2-C8 or diagnosis of definite or probable ALS;
• Incomplete weakness of left or right hand muscles: score of 3 or 4 (out of 5) on manual muscle testing of finger extension, finger flexion, or finger abduction;
• Detectable F-wave responses of the left or right abductor pollicis brevis muscle to median nerve stimulation;
• Detectable motor evoked potentials in left or right abductor pollicis brevis muscle to transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Exclusion criteria

• Multiple spinal cord lesions;
• History of seizures;
• Ventilator dependence or patent tracheostomy site;
• Use of medications that significantly lower seizure threshold, such as tricyclic antidepressants, amphetamines, neuroleptics, dalfampridine, and bupropion;
• History of stroke, brain tumor, brain abscess, or multiple sclerosis;
• History of moderate to severe head trauma (loss of consciousness for greater than one hour or evidence of brain contusion or hemorrhage or depressed skull fracture on prior imaging);
• History of implanted brain/spine/nerve stimulators, aneurysm clips, ferromagnetic metallic implants, or cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator;
• Significant coronary artery or cardiac conduction disease;
• Recurrent history over the last 6 months of autonomic dysreflexia;
• History of bipolar disorder;
• History of suicide attempt;
• Active psychosis;
• Heavy alcohol consumption (greater than equivalent of 5 oz of liquor) within previous 48 hours;
• Open skin lesions over the face, neck, shoulders, or arms;
• Pregnancy;
• Unsuitable for study participation as determined by study physician.