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The timing of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is essential for enhancing motor skill learning. Previously, tDCS, before or concurrently, with motor training was evaluated in healthy volunteers or elderly patients, but the optimal timing of stimulation has not been determined. In this study, we aimed to optimize the existing tDCS protocols by exploring the timing-dependent stimulation effects on finger movements in healthy individuals. We conducted a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. The study participants (n = 39) were randomly assigned into three groups: tDCS concurrently with finger tapping training (CON), tDCS prior to finger tapping training (PRI), and SHAM-tDCS simultaneously with finger tapping training (SHAM). In all groups, the subjects participated in five 40-min training sessions for one week. Motor performance was measured before and after treatment using the finger-tapping task (FTT), the grooved pegboard test (GPT), and hand strength tests. tDCS treatment prior to finger tapping training significantly improved motor skill learning, as indicated by the GPT and hand strength measurements. In all groups, the treatment improved the FTT performance. Our results indicate that applying tDCS before training could be optimal for enhancing motor skill learning. Further research is required to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study classified the severity of aphasia through the Western Aphasia Battery and determined the optimal cut-off value for each Language-Related White Matter fiber and their combinations, we further examined the correlations between Language-Related White Matter and Western Aphasia Battery subscores. This retrospective study recruited 64 patients with aphasia. Mild/moderate and severe aphasia were classified according to cut-off Aphasia Quotient score of 51 points. Diffusion tensor imaging and fractional anisotropy reconstructed Language-Related White Matter in multiple fasciculi. We determined the area under the covariate-adjusted receiver operating characteristic curve to evaluate the accuracy of predicting aphasia severity. The optimal fractional-anisotropy cut-off values for the individual fibers of the Language-Related White Matter and their combinations were determined. Their correlations with Western Aphasia Battery subscores were analyzed. The arcuate and superior longitudinal fasciculi showed fair accuracy, the inferior frontal occipital fasciculus poor accuracy, and their combinations fair accuracy. Correlations between Language-Related White Matter parameters and Western Aphasia Battery subscores were found between the arcuate, superior longitudinal, and inferior frontal occipital fasciculi and spontaneous speech, auditory verbal comprehension, repetition, and naming. Diffusion-tensor-imaging-based language-Related White Matter analysis may help predict the severity of language impairment in patients with aphasia following stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-trauma chronic pain characterized by central pain is a symptom following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Studies on the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on central pain and the association between central pain and spinothalamic tract (STT) have been reported, but few studies have examined the effect of rTMS in patients with mild TBI with central pain through changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based metrics of STT before and after rTMS. This case series aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of rTMS in TBI with central pain and the changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based metrics of the spinothalamic tract (STT) before and after rTMS. This study included four patients who complained of severe pain in the left or right side of the body below the neck area after a car accident. We performed numeric rating scale (NRS), bedside sensory examination, electrodiagnostic study, and DTI-based metrics of the STT before and after rTMS. According to the guidelines of the diagnosis and grading for neuropathic pain, all patients had neuropathic pain corresponding to "probable grade." In all patients, rTMS was applied to the contralateral M1 cortex on the more painful side. There were no medication changes and other interventions during the rTMS. After rTMS, NRS decreased, bed sensory testing improved, and DTI-based STT metrics increased in all patients compared to before rTMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]