Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the different compensatory mechanisms of brain function between the patients with brain dysfunction after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the dominant hemisphere and the non-dominant hemisphere based on Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Rs-fMRI).MethodsIn this trial, 15 healthy subjects (HS) were used as blank controls. In total, 30 hemiplegic patients with middle cerebral artery acute infarction of different dominant hemispheres were divided into the dominant hemisphere group (DH) and the non-dominant hemisphere group (NDH), scanned by a 3.0 T MRI scanner, to obtain the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) and compare the differences.ResultsCompared with the HS, increased ALFF values in the brain areas, such as the bilateral midbrain, were observed in DH. Meanwhile decreased ReHo values in the brain areas, such as the right postcentral gyrus (BA3), were also observed. Enhanced ALFF values in the brain areas, such as the left BA6, and enhanced ReHo values in the brain areas, such as the left precuneus, were observed in the NDH. The ALFF and ReHo values of the right BA9 and precentral gyrus were both increased. Compared with DH, the NDH group showed lower ALFF values in the left supplementary motor area and lower ReHo values in the right BA10.ConclusionAfter acute infarction in the middle cerebral artery of the dominant hemisphere, a compensation mechanism is triggered in brain areas of the ipsilateral cortex regulating motor-related pathways, while some brain areas related to cognition, sensation, and motor in the contralateral cortex are suppressed, and the connection with the peripheral brain regions is weakened. After acute infarction in the middle cerebral artery of the non-dominant hemisphere, compensatory activation appears in motor control-related brain areas of the dominant hemisphere. After acute middle cerebral artery infarction in the dominant hemisphere, compared with the non-dominant hemisphere, functional specificity in the bilateral supplementary motor area weakens. After acute middle cerebral artery infarction in different hemispheres, there are hemispheric differences in the compensatory mechanism of brain function.
Highlights
The brain is the most complex organ in humans, and research on it is the most advanced and popular field in life science
We identified and corrected (AlphaSim correction, Cluster Size 27, rmm = 4, P < 0.005) the statistical parameter maps to achieve the anatomical location and activation intensity of brain regions with significant changes in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo)
10 patients with middle cerebral artery acute infarction of the non-dominant hemisphere were included in analyses
Summary
The brain is the most complex organ in humans, and research on it is the most advanced and popular field in life science. With the implementation of the “Brain Plan,” more researchers nowadays are exploring cerebral functional changes with an aim to study various cerebral diseases. As one of the cerebral diseases in the “brain program,” stroke is listed as the primary cause of disability and death (Wang et al, 2013, 2017) due to its characteristics of high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality rate. Neuroimaging technology is a research focus in the field of in vivo research on post-stroke injury. With the continuous development of neuroimaging technology, neuroimaging diagnosis is no longer limited to observing the changes in brain histomorphology but has entered the stage of comprehensive diagnosis by combining brain morphology with function (Hojjati et al, 2019).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call