EFFECTIVE NEUROTROPHIC BIOMARKERS FOR MOTOR RECOVERY POST STROKE - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF INTERVENTION STUDIES

Background: Recovery after stroke relies on neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize neural
networks. Rehabilitation interventions such as task-specific training, aerobic exercise, strength training
and technology assisted therapies are designed to enhance this plastic potential. In recent years, attention
has shifted toward identifying circulating biomarkers that reflect neuroplastic changes.
Aim: This review aims to assess and synthesize evidence on effective neurotrophic biomarkers
associated with motor recovery following rehabilitation interventions in post-stroke individuals.
Methodology: Electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PEDro,
Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of science and direct web searches were utilized to do the search. The
search terms used were 'stroke', 'post-stroke', 'neurotrophic', 'neuroplasticity', 'biomarkers', 'motor',
'training', 'rehabilitation' and 'recovery' either separately or in combination.
Results: A total of 133 articles via electronic databases and 12 articles through direct web search were
obtained. After a thorough evaluation by reading the title and abstracts, upon removing the duplicates, 96
articles were excluded from the study due to variable reasons. A final of 12 articles were included in this
review based on the inclusion criteria and relevance to the research question. All the included studies
analyzed and correlated the expression of neurotrophic biomarkers in response to multiple rehabilitation
intervention post stroke.
Conclusion: Within the limits of this review, it can be concluded that assessment of appropriate
neurotrophic biomarkers gives a valuable insight about the progress of the rehabilitation intervention.
The apt rehabilitation intervention subsequent to the biomarker analysis further elucidates motor
recovery in individuals post stroke.