Rehabilitation of stroke patients has been studied in Kuopio since early 1980’. Last 15 years clinical research has been carried out in parallel with experimental work. Thus, our special strength is a strong continuum between basic and clinical research that enables translation of basic research innovations to clinical practices.
 | The long-term goals are to broaden our understanding of the key factors that modulate neuronal plasticity and the recovery of function after brain injury. This information is needed in the development of safe and more effective therapeutic interventions to enhance the health and independence of stroke patients with disabilities. |
Stroke
- Acute phase treatments
- Mechanisms and imaging of cardiogenic embolism
- Secondary prevention
- Rehabilitation
- Drug treatment trials (acute phase, secondary prevention)
Neurological Rehabilitation
- Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation
- Mechanisms of recovery
- New methods
- Experimental models
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
- Experimental stroke models
- Predictive behavioral outcome measures
- Histology
- Small animal imaging (SPECT, MRI, fMRI)
Selected Publications
Transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neural precursor cells and enriched environment after cortical stroke in rats: cell survival and functional recovery. Hicks AU, Lappalainen RS, Narkilahti S, Suuronen R, Corbett D, Sivenius J, Hovatta O, Jolkkonen J. Eur J Neurosci 29: 562-572, 2009.
Cell-based therapies and functional outcome in experimental stroke. Hicks A, Schallert T, Jolkkonen J. Cell Stem Cell 5: 139-140, 2009.
Effects of intensive therapy using gait trainer or floor walking exercises early after stroke. Peurala SH,Tarkka IM, Juhakoski M, sandell K, Jäkälä P, Airaksinen O, Sivenius J. J. Rehab. Res., 41:166-173, 2009.
CNS-active drugs in aging population at high risk of cerebrovascular events: Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. Zhao Cs, Hartikainen S, Schallert T, Sivenius J, Jolkkonen J. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 32: 56-71, 2008.
Coaccumulation of calcium and beta-amyloid in the thalamus after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Mäkinen S, Van Groen T, Clarke J, Thornell A, Corbett D, Hiltunen M, Soininen H, Jolkkonen J. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 28: 263-8, 2008.
Restoration of normal cortical excitability and gait ability in acute stroke after intensive rehabilitation. Peurala SH, Tarkka IM, Juhakoski M, Könönen M, Karhu J, Jäkälä P, Vanninen R, Sivenius J. Cerebrovasc Dis., 26(2):208-9; 2008.
Effects of intensive gait-oriented physiotherapy during early acute phase of stroke. Peurala SH, Airaksinen O, Jäkälä P, Tarkka IM, Sivenius J. J Rehabil Res Dev., 44(5);637-48; 2007.
Overexpression of APP provides neuroprotection in the absence of functional benefit following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Clarke J, Thornell A, Corbett D, Soininen H, Hiltunen M, Jolkkonen J. Eur J Neurosci 26:1845-52, 2007.
Abnormal compartmentalization of norepinephrine in mouse dentate gyrus in alpha-synuclein knockout and A30P transgenic mice. Yavich L, Jäkälä P, Tanila H. J Neurochem, 99(3):724-32; 2006.
Cardiogenic brain embolisms. Halinen M, Jäkälä P, Sipola P, Tapiola T, Mustonen P, Kokkonen J. Duodecim. 2005,;121(18):1961-8. Review. Finnish.
