Abstract
Some treatments under development to improve motor outcome after stroke require information about organization of individual subject's brain. The current study aimed to characterize normal inter-subject differences in localization of motor functions, and to consider these findings in relation to a potential treatment of motor deficits after stroke. Functional MRI (fMRI) scanning in 14 subjects examined right index finger tapping, shoulder rotation, or facial movement. The largest activation cluster in left sensorimotor cortex was identified for each task, and its center expressed in Talairach stereotaxic coordinates. Across subjects, each task showed considerable variability in activation site coordinates. For example, during finger tapping, the range for center of activation was 7 mm in the x-axis, 19 mm in the y-axis, and 11 mm in the z-axis. The mean value for center of activation was significantly different for all three coordinates for all pairwise task comparisons. However, the distribution of activation site centers for the finger task overlapped with the other two tasks in the x- and y-axes, and with the shoulder task in the z-axis. On average, the center of activation for the three motor tasks were spatially separated and somatotopically distributed. However, across the population, there was considerable overlap in the center of activation site, especially for finger and shoulder movements. Restorative therapies that aim to target specific body segments, such as the hand, in the post-stroke motor system may need to map the individual brain rather than rely on population averages. Initial details are presented of a study using this approach to evaluate such a therapy.
Highlights
Stroke remains the leading cause of adult disability[1]
Acute thrombolytic therapy can reduce long-term disability after stroke[3,4,5], few patients in the US reach a medical facility early enough to be eligible for such interventions[6]
Animal studies have suggested a number of potentially useful therapeutic strategies for patients who have passed the acute phase of stroke
Summary
Stroke remains the leading cause of adult disability[1]. The most common impairment after stroke, and a major contributor to disability, is weakness[1,2]. Acute thrombolytic therapy can reduce long-term disability after stroke[3,4,5], few patients in the US reach a medical facility early enough to be eligible for such interventions[6]. Animal studies have suggested a number of potentially useful therapeutic strategies for patients who have passed the acute phase of stroke. One such approach involves focal cortical stimulation, with the intent being to improve behaviors arising from the stimulated cortical region. Studies supportive of this approach are reviewed elsewhere in this journal
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
