Team Research

An urgent problem in neurorehabilitation for motor and cognitive functions following brain injury, such as stroke, trauma, or neurodegenerative diseases, is that patients are not motivated to follow through with the often-intensive rehabilitation programs required for successful recovery. This lack of engagement is often due to apathy and depression, common consequences of those brain injuries and diseases. Designing personalized rehabilitation programs tailored to each patient’s specific needs and simultaneously increases their engagement in these programs is a major challenge in rehabilitation.

In this project, we aim to investigate effective brain stimulation protocols combined with creative-based rehabilitation activities to induce a catalytic effect in maximizing patients’ recovery. Participating in creative activities, such as music and art creation, has been proven to be effective in rehabilitation. However, these positive outcomes of music/art therapies may be limited if patients are not fully engaged, especially for those who show apathy. Our central hypothesis is that neurostimulation to modulate the fronto-striatum dopaminergic pathway, known as the brain’s reward system, will enhance people’s creativity and thereby promote their engagement in creative-based therapies. This central hypothesis will be tested in two specific
aims: In Aim 1, we will test the effect of a neurostimulation protocol to enhance the excitability of the flexibility pathway within the creativity brain network to uplift creativity and engagement; In Aim 2, we will design creativity-based therapies for neurological populations using music and visual art activities and test the feasibility of combining them with neurostimulation.

We have assembled a multidisciplinary team with expertise in brain stimulation, creativity, skill learning, neuropsychology, sensory neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, gerontology, music, and art, as well as a researcher in adult learning who has gone through a successful journey of using art as therapy for upper extremity recovery after a stroke. Findings of the proposed study will provide preliminary evidence allowing the team to design interdisciplinary a course on creative rehabilitation, and target future external grants, such as NIH (e.g., NINDS, NIA, NCCIH) and private foundations (e.g., Templeton, Renee Fleming Foundation), to support large-scale investigations that will yield far-reaching benefits for a diverse patient population and promote healthy aging. Should the interventions prove effective, we will disclose the invention and engage with private industry in the neurorehabilitation space through the UGA Innovation District.

Image credit: The above image was created by Amanda Mankowski, depicting Babs McDonald painting “Neuron for Samir.” Babs, our project consultant, used a variety of creative methods for her rehabilitation after a stroke. She dedicated the painting to her neurologist, who encouraged her to use painting for her arm and hand recovery.

Team Lead

Jing Xu
jing.xu@uga.edu
Mary Frances College of Education
Department of Kinesiology
Department of Chemistry

Team Members

Anna Abraham
aa25721@uga.edu
Mary Frances College of Education
Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development

Rebecca Atkins
rlatkins@uga.edu
Franklin College of Arts and Science
Hugh Hogdson School of Music

Lisa Renzi Hammond
Institute of Gerontology

Stephen Correia
scorreia@uga.edu
Institute of Gerontology

Billy Hammond
bhammond@uga.edu
Department of Psychology

Joseph Peragine
jperagine@uga.edu
Lamar Dodd School of Art

Ellyn Evans
e.evans@uga.edu
Franklin College of Arts and Science
Hugh Hogdson School of Music

Richard Ivry
ivry@berkeley.edu
Department of Psychology

Babs McDonald
mcdonaldbabs@gmail.com