First in the world to define new recovery mechanism of the walking functions of stroke patients
[March 28, 2013]

 A recent research thesis published by Professor Jang, Seong Ho (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine) was selected as the cover thesis for the 2013 April issue of the prominent international academic journal 'Stroke'. According to the YU Medical Center (Executive Director Kim, Tae Nyeun) on the 28th, Professor Jang's thesis titled 'Functional Role of the Corticoreticular Pathway in Chronic Stroke Patients' was published on the cover of 'Stroke'.

 The Impact Factor of 'Stroke' is 5.729 and is SCI-level worldwide medical journal on strokes. In terms of impact factor, 'Stroke' is 14th place among 191 prominent international academic journals on clinical neurology, boasting high recognition and prestige.

 This thesis studied new recovery mechanisms for walking functions among patients with chronic strokes. The research results was placed on the cover of the 2013 April issue of 'Stroke' and was introduced in more detail in 6 pages (pp 1,099-1,104).

 According to the study, this was the first in the world to reveal the fact that recovery of independent walking functions of patients with chronic stroke who have completely damaged corticospinal tracts is achieved through the increase of nerve fibers of the corticoreticular pathway in the non-damaged cerebral hemisphere that was not affected by the stroke.

 Professor Jang said, "In the event that the corticospinal tract that was recognized as the most important motor pathway is damaged completely, walking can become possible by activating the corticoreticular pathway of the undamaged cerebral hemisphere." He added, "This is presumed to be one of the walking function recovery mechanisms of stroke patients and this will contribute to developing rehabilitation treatment so that stroke patients can recover their walking functions."

 Meanwhile, Professor Jang's major field of study is the rehabilitation of the stroke and the traumatic brain injury. He focuses on the recovery mechanism of the damaged cerebral nerves in stroke patients and the treatments using the recovery mechanism. He has currently written over 220 theses as the main author for SCI-level international academic journals. In the 2012 Joongang-ilbo University Evaluations, Professor Jang was selected as first place in the medical field for the individual thesis publications in international academic journals.

 Questions: YU Department of Rehabilitation Medicine ☎ 82-53-620-3270