Elucidation of the functional recovery network in aphasia

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11363
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama Brain and Spine Center
• Principal Investigator: TAKADA Kaoruko 横浜市立脳卒中・神経脊椎センター(臨床研究部), 臨床研究部, 研究員 (30834543)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 阿部 弘基 横浜市立大学, 医学部, 准教授 (40737409)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 失語症 / リハビリテーション / AMPA受容体 / 脳卒中 / PETイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using the PET tracer [11C]K-2 for AMPA receptors, we attempted to capture the process of recovery from aphasia at the molecular level of synaptic function and to identify brain regions involved in the recovery of language function. Two WAB tests and [11C]K-2 PET imaging were performed before and after speech and language therapy.WAB changes， and changes in radiation dose (AMPA receptor expression density) in language-related brain regions in the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres were measured. It was suggested that AMPA receptor expression density may be increased in language-related and homologous regions during aphasia recovery in the four patients who gave consent. This report is the first to capture the molecular changes in synaptic function in the brain during aphasia recovery, and it deepens our understanding of the biological processes of the rehabilitation process.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション医療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

対象患者数が4例と少数であることはlimitationであるが、本研究報告は、失語症回復過程の脳内シナプス機能分子変化を最初に捉えた報告であり、リハビリテーション過程の生物学的過程の理解を深めるものである。今後は本研究結果で示された失語症の回復とAMPA受容体増加量が相関する脳領域が、他の脳領域とどのような解剖学的・機能的結合関係にあるのかを探索すると同時に、当該脳領域がrTMSなどの非侵襲的脳刺激法の刺激部位の科学的根拠となりえるかの検証を進めていく。