Unraveling the Thread of Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Translational Cognitive Perspective

Abstract

Translational neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field that aims to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice. Regarding aphasia rehabilitation, there are still several unresolved issues related to the neural mechanisms that optimize language treatment. Although there are studies providing indications toward a translational approach to the remediation of acquired language disorders, the incorporation of fundamental neuroplasticity principles into this field is still in progress. From that aspect, in this narrative review, we discuss some key neuroplasticity principles, which have been elucidated through animal studies and which could eventually be applied in the context of aphasia treatment. This translational approach could be further strengthened by the implementation of intervention strategies that incorporate the idea that language is supported by domain-general mechanisms, which highlights the impact of non-linguistic factors in post-stroke language recovery. Here, we highlight that translational research in aphasia has the potential to advance our knowledge of brain–language relationships. We further argue that advances in this field could lead to improvement in the remediation of acquired language disturbances by remodeling the rationale of aphasia–therapy approaches. Arguably, the complex anatomy and phenomenology of aphasia dictate the need for a multidisciplinary approach with one of its main pillars being translational research.

Neural Correlates and Molecular Mechanisms of Memory and Learning

“…These imaging modalities have the potential to provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disorders under investigation, and aid in the diagnosis of rare clinical cases. Furthermore, neuropharmacological approaches complement the broader scope of preclinical research, allowing for a more thorough investigation of the genetic, environmental, and pharmacological factors that influence mental health [ 55 , 57 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 ]. It allows for the faster identification of potential drug targets and the development of personalized medicine approaches tailored to individuals’ unique neurochemical profiles [ 111 ].…”

The Impact of C-3 Side Chain Modifications on Kynurenic Acid: A Behavioral Analysis of Its Analogs in the Motor Domain

“…This study showed that the incorporation of the C-3 side chain elicits subtle differences in curiosity and emotion in animal models of motor function. Ongoing clinical studies have advanced our understanding of the behavioral domains in neuropsychiatric conditions and have sought their potential management [ 184 , 191 , 192 , 193 , 194 , 195 , 196 , 197 , 198 , 199 ]. Furthermore, computational strategies accelerate our advancement in comprehending their pathology, as well as in developing novel strategies for the management of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including neurotropic computer-assisted drug design [ 200 , 201 , 202 , 203 , 204 , 205 , 206 , 207 , 208 ].…”

Investigating Aphasia Recovery: Demographic and Clinical Factors

“…This is in accordance with our findings, which indicate that patients with lesions in the middle temporal gyrus exhibited naming and auditory comprehension deficits only in the chronic phase. This could be attributed to a core principle of the brain, neuroplasticity, which allows the reorganization of cognitive functions following brain damage, including language [13,83]. It has been suggested that the reorganization of language involves different structural and functional processes which exhibit different time courses and include reperfusion, diaschisis and recovery from structural disconnection [73].…”

“…Advances in the field of neuroscience have clearly shown that the driving force of recovery and the reorganization of cognitive functions, namely neuroplasticity, is based on structural and functional changes in the brain, which eventually result in observable alterations in behavior; in several cases of post-stroke aphasia, the outcome of this process is the recovery of language functions, to varying degrees [11][12][13]. As for reorganization, the 2 of 18 findings reported in the literature suggest that it occurs at different overlapping stages [14].…”