Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity

Spasticity is a recognized motor dysfunction that frequently arises following a stroke and significantly impacts the quality of life of affected patients. It is characterized by involuntary muscle activation resulting from overexcitation of the stretch reflex. Currently, therapeutic options for post...

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Main Authors: Shanshan Zeng, Lu Li, Lingying Wu, Ran Li, Xukun Tang, Xiongxing Sun, Shigao Lin, Zhuxuan Liu, Jie Tang, Qian Liu, Dahua Wu, Le Xie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1615483/full
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author Shanshan Zeng
Lu Li
Lingying Wu
Ran Li
Xukun Tang
Xiongxing Sun
Shigao Lin
Zhuxuan Liu
Jie Tang
Qian Liu
Dahua Wu
Le Xie
author_facet Shanshan Zeng
Lu Li
Lingying Wu
Ran Li
Xukun Tang
Xiongxing Sun
Shigao Lin
Zhuxuan Liu
Jie Tang
Qian Liu
Dahua Wu
Le Xie
author_sort Shanshan Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Spasticity is a recognized motor dysfunction that frequently arises following a stroke and significantly impacts the quality of life of affected patients. It is characterized by involuntary muscle activation resulting from overexcitation of the stretch reflex. Currently, therapeutic options for post-stroke spasticity are limited, and the underlying pathological mechanisms remain inadequately understood. Evidence suggests that stretch reflex hyperactivity is attributable to a combination of factors, including abnormal supraspinal projections, imbalances within the intraspinal network, and peripheral muscle alterations. This review aimed to examine supraspinal projections, specifically addressing the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory output signals within the neural network of the brain’s motor control region, and to discuss the significant role of the associated nerve bundles in the disease’s pathogenesis.
format Article
id doaj-art-47c9407afe714802b3aa2e44660ba409
institution DOAJ
issn 1662-5161
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-47c9407afe714802b3aa2e44660ba4092025-08-20T03:05:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience1662-51612025-08-011910.3389/fnhum.2025.16154831615483Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticityShanshan ZengLu LiLingying WuRan LiXukun TangXiongxing SunShigao LinZhuxuan LiuJie TangQian LiuDahua WuLe XieSpasticity is a recognized motor dysfunction that frequently arises following a stroke and significantly impacts the quality of life of affected patients. It is characterized by involuntary muscle activation resulting from overexcitation of the stretch reflex. Currently, therapeutic options for post-stroke spasticity are limited, and the underlying pathological mechanisms remain inadequately understood. Evidence suggests that stretch reflex hyperactivity is attributable to a combination of factors, including abnormal supraspinal projections, imbalances within the intraspinal network, and peripheral muscle alterations. This review aimed to examine supraspinal projections, specifically addressing the imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory output signals within the neural network of the brain’s motor control region, and to discuss the significant role of the associated nerve bundles in the disease’s pathogenesis.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1615483/fullspasticitystrokestretch reflex hyperactivityexcitation-inhibition imbalanceneural excitability
spellingShingle Shanshan Zeng
Lu Li
Lingying Wu
Ran Li
Xukun Tang
Xiongxing Sun
Shigao Lin
Zhuxuan Liu
Jie Tang
Qian Liu
Dahua Wu
Le Xie
Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
spasticity
stroke
stretch reflex hyperactivity
excitation-inhibition imbalance
neural excitability
title Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity
title_full Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity
title_fullStr Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity
title_full_unstemmed Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity
title_short Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity
title_sort excitation inhibition imbalance in the motor control network a key factor in post stroke spasticity
topic spasticity
stroke
stretch reflex hyperactivity
excitation-inhibition imbalance
neural excitability
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1615483/full
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