title: TMS-evoked N100 responses as a prognostic factor in acute stroke.
abstract: Rehabilitation programs, to be efficiently tailored, need clear prognostic markers. In acute stroke, neurophysiological measures, such as motor evoked potentials (MEPs), have been proposed, although with discordant results. The aim of this study was to identify a reliable neurophysiological measure of recovery in acute post-stroke individuals by combining MEPs and the N100 component of transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked potentials (TEPs). Nine acute post-stroke subjects were included. Clinical evaluation performed in the first week after the event included administration of the European Stroke Scale and Barthel Index and recording of MEPs and TEPs; administration of the clinical scales was repeated after one and three months. The presence/absence of MEPs and TEPs showed correlations with motor outcome. Individuals with a poorer outcome showed absence of both MEPs and TEPs; absence of MEPs alone was related to a partial recovery. Given the results of this exploratory study, further investigation is needed to define the accuracy of combined use of MEPs and TEPs as an approach for predicting motor recovery after acute stroke.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manganotti
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Acler
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masiero
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Felice
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation