Research projects

I. The pathophysiological basis for spasticity studied in animal models of spasticity

• The mechanisms behind the plateau potentials in spinal motor neurons after chronic spinal cord injuries
   

• Transmission in neuronal pathways in the brain and the spinal cord of spastic rats and mice

II. Electrophysiological investigations of the pathophysiology of human spasticity

III. Objective quantitative evaluation of spasticity

IV. Combining electrophysiological, imaging and biomechanical techniques with the aim of evaluating the motor function of persons with spasticity

• Investigation of spinal cord function by functional magnet resonance imaging (fMRI)
   

• Pyramidal tract development in healthy children and children with cerebral paresis investigated by use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), cortico-muscular coherence and transcranial magnetic stimulation
   

• Relation between lesion of the corticospinal tract (investigated by MR with the DTI method), electrophysiological parameters (TMS, coherence) and motor function measured by biomechanical and kinematic methods
   

• Plastic changes in the brain and the spinal cord investigated by electrophysiological techniques and fMRI

V Development, testing and evaluation of new rehabilitation strategies

• The effect of BOTOX treatment on gait ability, metabolism and muscle strength in children with cerebral paresis
   

• The effect of Botulinum-toxin on contractures in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries
   

• Reduction of spasticity by robotic gait training
   

• The effect of specific gait training on the gait ability of children with cerebral paresis and adult patients with mulitple sclerosis or spinal cord injury
   

• The effect of strength training on the functional capacity of patients with lesion of central motor pathways
   

• Functional electrical therapy and gait ability in patients with lesion of central motor pathways