Mapping contralesional motor cortex plasticity using robotic transcranial magnetic stimulation in children with perinatal stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Children with perinatal stroke are disabled by hemiparetic cerebral palsy (HCP). Motor control of the affected limb often resides in the contralesional hemisphere with preserved ipsilateral connections. Intensive therapies improve hand function but predictors are unknown. Individualized maps of the motor cortex (M1) may provide insight but are poorly studied. We aimed to use robotic TMS to characterize contralesional motor maps and their association with hand function in HCP.