Improving the recovery of stroke victims through electrical stimulation is what researchers at Oxford University are working on. And they would have taken a first step towards treatments. Charlotte Stag, Associate Professor, and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience: "We believe that with this stimulation the brain cells will activate a little more. When your brain does something like ordering the movement of the hand, then the cells are activated and communicate with each other. It is this pattern of communication that allows us to learn new things. And we think that simulations increase the rate at which these cells are active to accelerate new learning. " The small study looked at 24 volunteers whose stroke had reduced upper extremity motor skills. The group was split in two. Both groups underwent intense physiotherapy for nine days and all patients had electrodes but only one group received electrical stimulation. Charlotte Stag: "Treatments to improve brain function soon after an attack are in full development. But the options for people whose attack took place more than six months ago are very rare. And here we have the first evidence, even if it concerns only a very small group of people that something can really help despite a late delay. "
