Fronto-parietal involvement in chronic stroke motor performance when corticospinal tract integrity is compromised

• DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102558
• Publication Date: 2021-01-19T04:12:46Z
• Authors: Brenton Hordacre; Martín Lotze; Mark Jenkinson; Alberto Lazari; Christen D. Barras; Lara Boyd; Susan Hillier
• Keywords: Corticospinal tract; Stroke; Chronic stroke; Brain damage; Superior longitudinal fasciculus

Preserved integrity of the corticospinal tract (CST) is a marker good upper-limb behavior and recovery following stroke. However, there less understanding neural mechanisms that might help facilitate motor in stroke survivors with extensive CST damage. The purpose this study was to investigate resting state functional connectivity chronic different levels damage explore correlates greater performance compromised ipsilesional integrity. Thirty (24 males, aged 64.7 ± 10.8 years) participated study. Three experimental sessions were conducted to: 1) obtain anatomical (T1, T2) structural (diffusion) (resting state) MRI sequences, 2) determine transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) conduct assessments behavior, 3) reconfirm status. Participants divided into groups according extent Those group did not show TMS evoked responses had significantly lower fractional anisotropy. Of 30 survivors, 12 categorized as having Stroke weaker sensorimotor network fronto-parietal compared those preserved For participants damage, improved associated higher anisotropy rostral superior longitudinal fasciculus. have an appears be behaviorally relevant mechanism improves performance.