Cortical reorganization associated with motor recovery in hemiparetic stroke patients.
We investigated the cortical activation changes associated with motor recovery in eight hemiparetic patients with cerebral infarct by using functional MRI (fMRI), which was performed at 1.5 T in parallel with finger flexion-extension movements at a fixed rate. The first fMRI was performed when the patient was able to flex and extend fingers of the affected hand against gravity, and the second fMRI was done when the motor function of the affected hand showed definite improvement. The main cortical activation changes that occurred with motor recovery were an increment in the affected and a decrement in the unaffected primary sensori-motor cortex (SMC) activities. In conclusion, it seems that cortical reorganization occurred in parallel with motor recovery in hemiparetic patients with cerebral infarct.
Jang
Sung Ho
SH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 317-1, Daemyung-dong, Nam-ku, Taegu, 705-717, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Yun-Hee
YH
Cho
Sang-Hyun
SH
Chang
Yongmin
Y
Lee
Zee In
ZI
Ha
Jung Sang
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors