Pundik, Svetlana, MD, MSc

We have, thus far, focused on utilizing functional neuroimaging to discern substrates of movement control and movement relearning-related plasticity in a post-stroke brain to draw upon their significance for rehabilitation.

Furthermore, using noninvasive brain stimulation, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), we have explored ways to harness plasticity within implicated substrates to promote recovery in stoke.

Our interdisciplinary research team that includes biomedical engineers, physical therapists and neurologists, is using state of the art neuroimaging techniques to study neuroplasticity in response to rehabilitation. We are developing new approaches to boost recovery through the use of non-invasive brain stimulation, e.g. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).

Therefore, the two main research directions are in:

• Characterizing brain plasticity that drives recovery of sensory and motor function following brain injury and stroke.
• Developing methods to enhance functional recovery after stroke by non-invasive brain stimulation (TMS or tDCS) of viable brain areas to facilitate restorative neuroplasticity.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS

• Clinical Trials in Stroke Rehabilitation
• Brain Stimulation – Upper Limb Sensory Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke
• Brain Stimulation – Gait Recovery in Chronic Stroke
• Upper limb Rehabilitation after stroke and traumatic brain injury using a myoelectrically control orthotic device
• Brain Stimulation – Upper limb in chronic Spinal cord injury
• Structural and Functional Brain Changes During Rehabilitation After Stroke
• Clinical Trials in Stroke Prevention and Acute Stroke