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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Electroencephalography Network Indices as Biomarkers of Upper Limb Impairment in Chronic Stroke
Published on: July 14, 2023
Delta dipole density and strength in acute monohemispheric stroke
Filippo Zappasodi1, Mario Tombini, Daniele Milazzo
1Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione (ISTC), CNR, Roma, Italy. filippo.zappasodi@istc.cnr.it
Increased delta activity in both hemispheres after stroke, particularly delta dipole strength (DDS), predicts clinical recovery. This finding offers prognostic insights for stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Neurology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography studies show increased delta band activity in both perilesional and contralesional hemispheres post-stroke.
- Elevated delta activity in the unaffected hemisphere during the acute phase may offer prognostic value for clinical recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate delta activity in perirolandic regions using MEG in stroke patients.
- To correlate delta band power, delta dipole density (DDD), and delta dipole strength (DDS) with lesion characteristics and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to assess delta activity in 27 middle cerebral artery stroke patients within the first week of symptom onset.
- Clinical evaluations were conducted in acute and post-acute phases (9 months median).
- Delta band power, DDD, and DDS were analyzed in both hemispheres, considering lesion level (cortical/subcortical), and correlated with lesion volume and clinical status.
Main Results:
- Delta dipole strength (DDS) was elevated in both affected and unaffected hemispheres compared to controls, correlating positively with lesion volume and depending on lesion level.
- While delta dipole density (DDD) did not differ between hemispheres or from controls, DDS showed a significant correlation with clinical recovery in the post-acute phase.
- DDS provided a localized amplitude estimate, independent of the measuring system, aiding inter-laboratory standardization.
Conclusions:
- Delta dipole strength (DDS) in both hemispheres after stroke, particularly in the acute phase, is a potential biomarker for predicting clinical recovery.
- These findings support the use of localized delta activity measures for stroke prognostication and inter-laboratory standardization.
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