Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Impact of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Motor Recuperation
Brief Summary: tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) will be used in chronic stroke patients to improve a variety of functions with superior or inferior limb.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients suffering from the consequences of a stroke in the medial cerebral artery, during the sub-acute phase (4-24 weeks after onset)
2. Age between 18-75 years
3. Hospitalised in rehabilitation Hospital Hof Ter Schelde
4. Capable of understanding and giving informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cerebellum or brainstem lesions
2. Recently multiple lesions and older lesions which are manifested clinically.
3. History of severe substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, benzodiazepines)
4. Cardiac disease that in the opinion of the clinician precludes participation in the trial (severe dyspnea in rest, severe rhythm disturbances, etc)
5. History of epileptic insults, not caused by the stroke
6. Severe organic co morbidity
7. Psychiatric disorders or history of psychiatric disorders
8. Pace maker / internal defibrillator
9. Pregnancy
B: Inclusion criteria:

(1) All subjects must be between the ages of 18-90.

Exclusion criteria:

1. History of Major depression, as defined by Beck Depression scale 30;
2. Any substantial decrease in alertness, language comprehension, or attention that might interfere with understanding instructions for motor testing;
3. Contraindications to TMS

   * history of seizures
   * unexplained loss of consciousness
   * metal in the head
   * frequent or severe headaches or neck pain
   * implanted brain medical devices.
4. Contraindications to tDCS

   * metal in the head
   * implanted brain medical devices
5. Advanced liver, kidney, cardiac, or pulmonary disease;
6. A terminal medical diagnosis consistent with survival \< 1 year;
7. Coexistent major neurological or psychiatric disease (to decrease number of confounders);
8. A history of significant alcohol or drug abuse in the prior 6 months;
9. Subjects may not be actively enrolled in a separate intervention study targeting stroke recovery and any other clinical trials;
10. Subjects with global aphasia and deficits of comprehension
11. Pregnancy. Female subjects of child bearing potential will be asked to take a pregnancy test. If the pregnancy test is positive, the subject may not enroll in the study.
12. Use of neuropsychotropic medications \[healthy subjects only\]

Additional inclusion criteria for stroke subjects:

1. First-time clinical ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events - evidenced by a radiological (or physician's) report
2. Weakness, defined as score of less than 55 (out of 66) on arm motor Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale
3. Stroke onset \>6 months prior to study enrollment .

Additional exclusion criteria for stroke subjects:

1. Subjects may not have already received TMS and/or tDCS stimulation for stroke;
2. History of epilepsy before stroke or episodes of seizures within the last six months;
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* stroke with at least slight deficit in superior or inferior limb

Exclusion Criteria:

* epilepsy
* contraindication to tDCS and/or to fMRI
* presence of metal in the head
* inability to understand/complete behavioural tasks
* chronic intake of alcohol or recreative drugs
* major health condition
* presence of pacemaker
* pregnancy
D: Inclusion criteria:

* 30 individuals with hemiparesis stemming from a stroke;
* Either gender;
* Able to maintain a standing position without an assistance device for at least 60 seconds;
* Signed statement of written consent.

Exclusion criteria:

* Adverse health condition (beyond hemiparesis) that affects balance;
* Use of medication that can affect balance;
* Positive cutoff point for cognitive deficit (Mini Mental State Examination);
* Illiteracy;
* Wernicke's aphasia;
* Reduced ankle mobility due to history of ankle fracture and use of pins in ankle;
* TA muscle strength less than grade 1;
* Contraindication for tDCS (history of recurrent seizures, recurrent epilepsy and brain tumor in stimulation site);
* Skin infection at tDCS and/or FES site;
* Anesthesia or hyperesthesia at FES site.

Answer: C