Neurobiology of Amphetamine use in Stroke Recovery Combined with Rehabilitative Training and Brain Stimulation

Stroke is a physiological disorder involving a prolonged local interruption of cerebral blood flow. It leads to massive neuronal death and causes short-term or long-lasting functional impairment. Most stroke victims regain some neural function weeks or months following a stroke, but this recovery can plateau six months or more after the injury. The goal of stroke therapy is the rehabilitation of functional capabilities, especially those affecting the patient’s autonomy and quality of life. Recent clinical and animal studies combining acute dextro-amphetamine (d-AMPH) administration with rehabilitative training (RT) have revealed that this treatment has significant remedial effects. The review aims to examine the synergistic therapeutic effects of d-amphetamine coupled with RT, administered during the early or late subacute period, on neuronal activation, anatomic plasticity, and skilled motor function in a middle-aged rodent stroke model. The treatment will also include magnetic field stimulation. This review will help increase understanding of the mechanism of d-amphetamine coupled with RT and magnetic field stimulation and their converging therapeutic effects for stroke recovery.