Neuropharmacology
To examine the influence of fluoxetine on brain excitability and on motor recovery of the arm and hand after stroke.”

Today many research is done to facilitate motor recovery after stroke. This recovery takes place peripherally, but also in the central nerve system (CNS). Therefore, in addition to motor training, facilitation of processes in the brain might improve the rehabilitation after stroke. One way to influence these processes is to administer neuropharmaca.

Several studies already have been done examining the effects of different neuropharmaca on motor function. Amphetamines are the most studied medicines used to influence motor activity. In animal studies as well as in human studies, beneficial effects were found. However, amphetamines have large side-effects. Also the effects of levodopa, methylphenidate, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are studied for their effects on motor recovery after stroke. Although some of these neuropharmaca are found to have a beneficial effect on motor recovery, the reason for their effects remains speculative.

In this project we try to receive a deeper understanding of the effects of neuropharmaca on motor function. To achieve this, the effects of neuropharmaca on the brain (EEG and TMS) and muscle activation (EMG) are measured, and changes are compared with the differences in motor function.

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