Investigating the neural basis of motor and cognitive disabilities following childhood stroke<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/h2><\/div>Currently there is <\/span>limited <\/span>v<\/span>e<\/span>r<\/span>y<\/span> l<\/span>i<\/span>t<\/span>t<\/span>l<\/span>e<\/span> understanding of why some stroke patients develop dystonic symptoms, usually appearing several months <\/span>following <\/span>after<\/span> their stroke, and why this is more prevalent in children. This <\/span>five <\/span>5<\/span>\u2013<\/span>year CIHR<\/span>\u2013<\/span> funded project focuses on the use of MEG and MRI brain imaging in children recovering from stroke who may develop <\/span>hemidystonia<\/span> or other motor disorders. We combine these neuroimaging measures with somatosensory<\/span> and<\/span>,<\/span> motor tasks in children <\/span>f<\/span>ollowing their<\/span> post-<\/span>stroke to assess neuroplastic changes in specific brain regions that <\/span>might <\/span>may<\/span> reveal the underlying cause<\/span>s<\/span> of their dystonia. We also use cognitive assessments and inhibitory control tasks to assess the relationship between dystonia and poorer cognitive outcomes. Our hope is that these measures will reveal<\/span> the<\/span> underlying neural mechanisms of post-stroke motor disorders and provide better predictors of <\/span>outcome <\/span>recovery<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"This](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/cheyne\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/159\/2025\/10\/brain_exam.png\" "\\"brain_exam\\"")
<\/span><\/div>Principal Investigators:<\/span><\/b>
\nDouglas Cheyne<\/span>, PhD, Neuroscience and Mental Health<\/span>
\nNomazulu<\/span> Dlamini<\/span>\u202fMD, Division of Neurology<\/span><\/p>\nCo-investigators:<\/span><\/b>
\nAndrea <\/span>Kassner<\/span>\u202fPhD, Translational Neuroscience<\/span>
\nRobyn Westmacott<\/span>, PhD, Psychology<\/span><\/p>\nFunded by:<\/span><\/b>\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/b>
\nCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Investigating the neural basis of speech motor control<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2><\/div>This NSERC Discovery grant funded project focuses on neural mechanisms underlying<\/span>\u00a0our ability to produce the complex speech sounds necessary for expressive language. Although hemispheric specialization for language is well established, the specific brain regions involved in the generation of speech sounds, and how these are related to speech sound disorders in adults and children is relatively understudied. Non-invasive brain imaging of speech related brain activity may provide more accurate diagnoses and treatment strategies in these populations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Currently there is <\/span>limited <\/span>v<\/span>e<\/span>r<\/span>y<\/span> l<\/span>i<\/span>t<\/span>t<\/span>l<\/span>e<\/span> understanding of why some stroke patients develop dystonic symptoms, usually appearing several months <\/span>following <\/span>after<\/span> their stroke, and why this is more prevalent in children. This <\/span>five <\/span>5<\/span>\u2013<\/span>year CIHR<\/span>\u2013<\/span> funded project focuses on the use of MEG and MRI brain imaging in children recovering from stroke who may develop <\/span>hemidystonia<\/span> or other motor disorders. We combine these neuroimaging measures with somatosensory<\/span> and<\/span>,<\/span> motor tasks in children <\/span>f<\/span>ollowing their<\/span> post-<\/span>stroke to assess neuroplastic changes in specific brain regions that <\/span>might <\/span>may<\/span> reveal the underlying cause<\/span>s<\/span> of their dystonia. We also use cognitive assessments and inhibitory control tasks to assess the relationship between dystonia and poorer cognitive outcomes. Our hope is that these measures will reveal<\/span> the<\/span> underlying neural mechanisms of post-stroke motor disorders and provide better predictors of <\/span>outcome <\/span>recovery<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Principal Investigators:<\/span><\/b> Co-investigators:<\/span><\/b> Funded by:<\/span><\/b>\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/b> This NSERC Discovery grant funded project focuses on neural mechanisms underlying<\/span>\u00a0our ability to produce the complex speech sounds necessary for expressive language. Although hemispheric specialization for language is well established, the specific brain regions involved in the generation of speech sounds, and how these are related to speech sound disorders in adults and children is relatively understudied. Non-invasive brain imaging of speech related brain activity may provide more accurate diagnoses and treatment strategies in these populations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div>
\nDouglas Cheyne<\/span>, PhD, Neuroscience and Mental Health<\/span>
\nNomazulu<\/span> Dlamini<\/span>\u202fMD, Division of Neurology<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAndrea <\/span>Kassner<\/span>\u202fPhD, Translational Neuroscience<\/span>
\nRobyn Westmacott<\/span>, PhD, Psychology<\/span><\/p>\n
\nCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Investigating the neural basis of speech motor control<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
![\"This](\"https:\/\/lab.research.sickkids.ca\/cheyne\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/159\/2025\/10\/brain_activity.png\" "\\"brain_activity\\"")
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