# Contribution of the non-lesioned hemisphere to lower limb movement and walking function after stroke

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2022 · $71,734

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Long-term walking impairments are common after stroke, reducing community involvement and physical
activity and impairing health status and quality of life. Although improving walking is of high importance in this
population, the impact of walking rehabilitation after stroke is limited. The ability to improve walking
rehabilitation after stroke is hampered by a lack of knowledge about stroke-related changes in the cortical
control of walking. In particular, previous work suggests that changes in the ipsilateral contribution of the
contralesional (non-lesioned) hemisphere to motor control of the paretic limb and/or altered interhemispheric
imbalance may contribute to walking impairment after stroke. However, more information about these
phenomena, particularly during dynamic lower limb movement, is necessary to translate these
neurophysiological measurements into improvements in stroke rehabilitation. The goal of this proposal is to
evaluate the contribution of the contralesional hemisphere and interhemispheric interactions to dynamic,
bilateral lower limb movements after stroke and determine if these constructs relate to walking function. We
hypothesize that the ipsilateral contribution of the contralesional hemisphere to paretic limb movements will be
greater than the ipsilateral contribution of the ipsilesional (lesioned) hemisphere to movements of the non-
paretic limb. We also hypothesize that interhemispheric inhibition will be greater in the ipsilesional hemisphere
than in the contralesional hemisphere. We expect both constructs to differ between isometric and dynamic
tasks and be related to greater walking impairment. To test these hypotheses, we will provide transcranial
magnetic stimulation during dynamic, bilateral ankle movement. In Aim 1, we will assess the contribution of
each hemisphere to movements of the paretic and non-paretic limb, and in Aim 2, we will assess the degree of
interhemispheric inhibition of each hemisphere by the opposite hemisphere. In Aim 3, we will evaluate walking
speed and spatiotemporal characteristics and relate these measures to the ipsilateral contribution of the
contralesional hemisphere to movement of the paretic limb and interhemispheric inhibition as measured during
Aim 1 and 2. The proposed work is significant because it will further our understanding of functional
corticomotor excitability after stroke and expand our knowledge about the motor control of dynamic, bilateral
lower limb movements, such as walking. Information from these studies can then be used to optimize
rehabilitation strategies, specifically informing the use of neuromodulatory adjuvants to walking rehabilitation.
Ultimately, these improvements in post-stroke rehabilitation will lead to health improvements and reduced
healthcare burden. Findings from these studies will establish my career as an independent investigator and
help me achieve my long-term research objective of determining how motor rehabilitation...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10393045
- **Project number:** 5F32HD102214-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Brice Thomas Cleland
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $71,734
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10393045

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10393045, Contribution of the non-lesioned hemisphere to lower limb movement and walking function after stroke (5F32HD102214-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10393045. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*