Neurological recovery after systemic thrombolytic therapy in a chronic stroke case.
We describe a patient who in 1983 suffered a stroke which resulted in severe hemiplegia and somatosensory loss. His neurological condition remained stable until January 1996, when, because of a myocardial infarction, the patient underwent systemic thrombolytic therapy which led to a remarkable improvement of both motor and somatosensory functions. This finding suggests the existence of 'idling neurons' which remain viable for a long time after stroke, and opens a fascinating window on the therapeutic potential of thrombolytic therapy in chronic stroke patients.
Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e della Visione, Università di Verona, Italy.
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D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator