functional MRI study to evaluate improvement of hand performance after combined motor exercise and aminopiridine assumption

Treatment tested

• Dalfampridine

  Voltage-gated potassium channel blocker

Other measures (1)

Inclusion: Right handed Multiple Sclerosis patients without relapses in the previous year and, if under pharmacological treatment, with a stable dose regimen for at least 3 months. Patients will be included if they present with a right hand dexterity impairment (average of 2 performances in 9-hole peg test: >30 seconds). Exclusion: Rehab in the previous 6 months; significant cognitive deficit that may prevent engagement in the study; contraindications to MRI scan; allergy to the drug or the eccipients; any relevant pathology that contraindicate drug intake.

1. To investigate the brain correlates of rehabilitation (rehab)-related clinical benefits on upper limb function in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to qualify imaging markers associated with performance improvements. Patterns of movement control can be adaptively driven by rehab through re-learning of lost function. Rehab-mediated improvements may be associated with brain functional changes in sensorimotor regions that can be measured with neuroimaging methods.