Mechanisms underlying training-related motor improvement in cerebellar ataxia.

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Dagmar Timmann-Braun
• Subject Area: Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology ; Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 268201366

Treatment of motor symptoms of cerebellar ataxia remains a major challenge. As yet, the only option is physiotherapy. Only in recent years, well-controlled studies have provided unequivocal proof that patients with cerebellar ataxia benefit from motor training. However, we do not yet know what form of training helps most for different classes of cerebellar patients, and whether there are methods that could enhance the effects of training. Our main goal is to initiate a research program that addresses this gap. We will use three basic methodologies: modern approaches to reaching adaptation, structural imaging and correlation of pathology with behavioral deficit, and the use of non-invasive brain stimulation to ameliorate deficit. More specifically, we aim to substantiate the recent finding that slow adaptation processes may be preserved in cerebellar disease, and to investigate whether such slow learning is retained. If so, activation of slow adaptation could be of particular help in rehabilitation of cerebellar ataxia. Furthermore, we investigate whether non-invasive cerebellar or cerebral sensorimotor stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS) enhances learning in patients with cerebellar degeneration. Finally, we hypothesize that improvements depend on lesion site. In particular, we will test the hypothesis that patients with preserved deep cerebellar nuclei have more preserved slow adaptation and stronger retention. The aim of the study is to understand the fundamentals of training-related motor improvement in cerebellar ataxia, and to identify those patients for whom this kind of training is most likely to be effective. Information will help to design future rehabilitation programs tailored to the specific needs of cerebellar patients.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• International Co-Applicant: Professor Dr. Opher Donchin