Longitudinal optical imaging study for locomotor recovery after stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Motor Control

Background:

• Stroke frequently causes hemiparesis, impairing gait and mobility.
• Locomotor recovery is a key goal in stroke rehabilitation.
• Understanding the underlying cerebral mechanisms is crucial for optimizing recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cerebral mechanisms associated with locomotor recovery following stroke.
• To examine changes in cortical activity during hemiparetic gait before and after rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Optical imaging was used to measure cortical activity during treadmill gait in 8 stroke patients.
• Measurements were taken before and after a 2-month inpatient rehabilitation program.
• Hemiparetic gait parameters were assessed alongside cortical activity.

Main Results:

• Initially, hemiparetic gait showed greater oxygenated hemoglobin in the unaffected sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and increased activity in the premotor cortex (PMC) and supplementary motor area.
• After rehabilitation, the asymmetry in SMC activation improved, with enhanced PMC activation in the affected hemisphere.
• The degree of improvement in asymmetrical SMC activation correlated significantly with gait parameter improvements.

Conclusions:

• Locomotor recovery after stroke may involve normalizing sensorimotor cortex (SMC) activation asymmetry.
• Enhanced premotor cortex (PMC) activation in the affected hemisphere appears important for recovery.
• These findings suggest potential targets for neurorehabilitation strategies aiming to improve gait post-stroke.