title: What drives progressive motor deficits in patients with acute pontine infarction?
abstract: Progressive motor deficits are relatively common in acute pontine infarction and frequently associated with increased functional disability. However, the factors that affect the progression of clinical motor weakness are largely unknown. Previous studies have suggested that pontine infarctions are caused mainly by basilar artery stenosis and penetrating artery disease. Recently, lower pons lesions in patients with acute pontine infarctions have been reported to be related to progressive motor deficits, and ensuing that damage to the corticospinal tracts may be responsible for the worsening of neurological symptoms. Here, we review studies on motor weakness progression in pontine infarction and discuss the mechanisms that may underlie the neurologic worsening.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Jue-Bao
authors: JB
authors: Li
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Rui-Dong
authors: RD
authors: Cheng
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Wan-Shun
authors: WS
authors: Wen
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Gen-Ying
authors: GY
authors: Zhu
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Liang
authors: L
authors: Tian
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: Xiang-Ming
authors: XM
authors: Ye
keywords: Wallerian degeneration; basilar artery; corticospinal tract; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration; penetrating artery; pontine infarction; progressive motor deficits; review