Programm

Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide and a major cause for long-term disability, with limited therapeutic options to support functional recovery. Many stroke survivors face persistent motor and cognitive impairments, highlighting the urgent need for innovative rehabilitation strategies. Non-invasive neuromodulation, including electrical and magnetic brain stimulation and neurofeedback, has emerged as a promising approach to enhance post-stroke recovery. By targeted modulation of brain activity, several approaches have shown promising effects that may improve functional outcomes, yet many questions remain about optimal protocols and mechanisms of action. This symposium will bring together leading researchers and early career scientists working at the intersection of stroke recovery and neuromodulation to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the field. Gesa Hartwigsen (Leipzig) will provide insights into longitudinal trajectories of language recovery after stroke, identifying general principles of neural reorganization. Rebekah Brückner (Oldenburg) investigates localization techniques for frontal midline theta activity using combined MEG and MRI data in older adults and stroke patients to optimize targeting for transcranial alternating current stimulation. Jennifer Decker (Oldenburg) will present pilot data of an intensive at home-based motor imagery neurofeedback training approach to enhance motor recovery. Sonja Kleih-Dahms (Würzburg) will discuss the role of neurofeedback-based approaches to enhance attention and the potential of brain-computer interfaces for post-stroke aphasia rehabilitation in patients with chronic symptoms. By addressing how neuromodulation strategies can support recovery across different stroke-related impairments, this symposium will provide an overview of current advances and highlight promising directions for future research and clinical application.