Retraining the Brain With Neurosurgical Breakthrough

An emerging approach to stroke recovery involves an outpatient neurosurgical procedure that implants a device capable of stimulating a nerve found to be central to the brain's ability to learn. Dr. Christopher Conner in UConn Health's Brain and Spine Institute is the first neurosurgeon in Connecticut to implant this device, which can make the brain more receptive to intensive occupational therapy. Dr. Conner explains vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and describes its early success.

(November 2024, Dr. Christopher Conner, Carolyn Pennington, Chris DeFrancesco)

Dr. Christopher Conner
https://health.uconn.edu/find-a-provider/physician/Conner-Christopher

Connecticut's 1st VNS device implant (UConn Today, May 2024)
https://today.uconn.edu/2024/05/first-in-connecticut-ischemic-stroke-survivors-have-renewed-hope-with-the-vagus-nurve-stimulation-device-now-available-at-uconn-health/

Treating movement disorders with deep brain stimulation (UConn Today, May 2024)
https://today.uconn.edu/2024/05/deep-brain-stimulation-changing-the-quality-of-life-for-those-with-parkinsons-disease/

UConn Health Brain and Spine Institute
https://health.uconn.edu/brain-and-spine-institute/

UConn Health Stroke Center
https://health.uconn.edu/stroke-center/

UConn Health Neurology Deep Brain Stimulation Program
https://health.uconn.edu/neurology/clinical-services/movement-disorders/parkinsons-disease/

UConn Health Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center
https://health.uconn.edu/parkinsons/