Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
Early adaptations in somatosensory cortex after focal ischemic injury to motor cortex
Joseph S Paul1, Sheu Fwu-Shan, Andreas R Luft
1Division of Bioengineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Abstract:
In response to a lesion, intact regions of cortex in both hemispheres undergo adaptive changes in network function. For example, changes in excitability and intracortical inhibition in primary motor cortex (M1) were reported after lesioning contralateral or ipsilateral brain regions. Close interactions exist between M1 and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) within one hemisphere. Therefore, we hypothesized that lasting modifications would occur in S1 excitability after lesioning ipsilateral M1. Imaging of intrinsic optical signals (IOS, at 570 nm) was used to investigate the evolution of the somatosensory cortical response evoked by contralateral median nerve stimulation during the first hour after a photothrombotic lesion to M1 (caudal motor cortex) of the rat (n=10). Control rats (n=6) received no lesion. Perfusion was monitored by Laser speckle imaging and the extent of the resulting lesion was determined histologically. Control animals did not show evidence for reduced perfusion, infarction, or changes in IOS. M1 infarction led to a significant increase in evoked response amplitude, duration, and area of activation, and a shortening of latencies. These parameters reached a plateau around 50 min after ischemia. These results indicate S1 hyperexcitability after M1 injury. Whether these adaptations contribute to functional deficits or play a role in recovery, remains to be determined.
More Related Videos
08:01Compensatory Limb Use and Behavioral Assessment of Motor Skill Learning Following Sensorimotor Cortex Injury in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: July 10, 2014
10:05A Large Lateral Craniotomy Procedure for Mesoscale Wide-field Optical Imaging of Brain Activity
Published on: May 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensation
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex.
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...