Diffusion anisotrophy in the early stages of stroke can predict motor outcome.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether the degree of impairment of diffusion anisotrophy in the early stages of a stroke can predict the motor function outcome.


METHODS
Thirty-one hemiplegic stroke patients were enrolled to this study. Diffusion anisotropy was measured by determining fractional anisotropy (FA) in the two ROIs (region of interests) at corona radiata (CR) and in the posterior limb of internal capsule (IC) during the early stages of stoke (average 7.9 days after stroke onset) and compared with motor outcome of the affected hand 3 months after stroke onset.


RESULTS
Both ROIs (CR or IC) and lesion types (hemorrhage or infarction) did not have significant effect on the SBFA (symmetry of bilateral FA) and dMRC (medical research council score improvement), either. Patients with greater initial MRC score had significantly greater SBFA and dMRC. The regression equation between the dMRC (Y axis) and the SBFA (X axis) was semi-linear and significant (P < 0.05); for CR group, Y = 3.296 - 0.1192X + 0.0015X2; for IC group, Y = 2.342 - 0.0533X +0.0007(2). The regression lines had 'threshold points' where a minute SBFA change would make a steep increase in dMRC.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of impairment in diffusion anisotropy during the early stages of stroke appears to have the potential to predict motor outcome.
Jang
Sung Ho
SH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Taegu, Republic of Korea. strokerehab@hanmail.net
Cho
Sang-Hyun
SH
Kim
Yun-Hee
YH
Han
Bong Soo
BS
Byun
Woo Mok
WM
Son
Soo-Min
SM
Kim
Seong Ho
SH
Lee
Se Jin
SJ
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020772:Internal Capsule / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors