title: Imaging network level language recovery after left PCA stroke.
abstract: The neural mechanisms that support aphasia recovery are not yet fully understood. Our goal was to evaluate longitudinal changes in naming recovery in participants with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke using a case-by-case analysis.
  
  
  
  Using task based and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and detailed language testing, we longitudinally studied the recovery of the naming network in four participants with PCA stroke with naming deficits at the acute (0 week), sub acute (3-5 weeks), and chronic time point (5-7 months) post stroke. Behavioral and imaging analyses (task related and resting state functional connectivity) were carried out to elucidate longitudinal changes in naming recovery.
  
  
  
  Behavioral and imaging analysis revealed that an improvement in naming accuracy from the acute to the chronic stage was reflected by increased connectivity within and between left and right hemisphere "language" regions. One participant who had persistent moderate naming deficit showed weak and decreasing connectivity longitudinally within and between left and right hemisphere language regions.
  
  
  
  These findings emphasize a network view of aphasia recovery, and show that the degree of inter- and intra- hemispheric balance between the language-specific regions is necessary for optimal recovery of naming, at least in participants with PCA stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Rajani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sebastian
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Charltien
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.|Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Andreia V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindquist
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Samson
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jarso
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Race
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Cameron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Posner
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.|Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.|Department of Cognitive Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Argye E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hillis
mesh_terms: D001037:Aphasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020762:Infarction, Posterior Cerebral Artery / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D007802:Language; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: PCA stroke; aphasia; fMRI; longitudinal recovery; naming network