Functional magnetic resonance imaging of brain plasticity in patients with stroke and arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

After stroke, the degree of recovery varies from patient to patient. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of motor, sensory, and language systems has been used to evaluate brain plasticity in patients recovering from a stroke. Patients with arteriovenous malformations also have been tested with functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate plasticity of brain function. Arteriovenous malformations may cause the developing brain to develop such that unexpected areas are responsible for functions typically performed by the regions of the brain with the arteriovenous malformations.