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Neural Plasticity and Neurorehabilitation

The Neural Plasticity and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, led by Sook-Lei Liew, explores neural recovery and methods for enhancing neuroplasticity of the motor system to improve an individual’s motor capabilities after neurological injury. This laboratory uses neuroimaging tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), real-time fMRI neurofeedback, structural MRI, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), as well as noninvasive brain stimulation techniques (transcranial electric stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation). This work aims to predict and enhance rehabilitation outcomes and inform optimal treatment programs for individuals following a stroke or brain injury.

Funded Projects

• Effects of Global Brain Health on Sensorimotor Recovery After Stroke (Principal Investigator: Sook-Lei Liew)
• USC SensoriMotor Assessment and Rehabilitation Training in Virtual Reality Center (Collaborators: Sook-Lei Liew)

Previous Projects

• Big Data Neuroimaging to Predict Motor Behavior After Stroke (Principal Investigator: Sook-Lei Liew)
• REINVENT: A Closed-Loop VR Neurofeedback System for Motor Recovery after Severe Stroke (Principal Investigator: Sook-Lei Liew)

Media

• How virtual avatars help stroke patients improve motor function / PCMag
• Shared database of brain images aims to boost stroke patients’ recovery / USC News
• VR could trick stroke victims’ brains toward recovery / CNET
• REINVENT: Leveraging Virtual Reality and Neurofeedback to Help With Motor Rehabilitation / IEE Xplore Innovation Spotlight
• Using virtual reality — and mom’s sewing machine — for stroke rehab / USC News
• Baby Driver, Mr. Roosevelt top SXSW audience award winners / Entertainment Weekly
• As The World Of VR Descends On SXSW, Here Are Six Must-See Experiences / Forbes
• Can virtual reality neurofeedback help stroke survivors recover? / USC News

USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE). The USC entry-level OTD degree program (cost of attendance) has been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. View our program’s ACOTE standards public data. ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-6611 x2914, acoteonline.org

Professional program graduates are eligible to apply for certification by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.