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Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping
Published on: September 25, 2019
Cerebral perfusion in chronic stroke: implications for lesion-symptom mapping and functional MRI
Jessica D Richardson1, Julie M Baker, Paul S Morgan
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. j.d.richardson@sc.edu
Behavioural Neurology
|May 25, 2011
Summary
This study reveals reduced brain perfusion in chronic stroke patients, particularly in tissue surrounding the damaged area. Larger stroke infarcts correlate with decreased blood flow, impacting lesion-symptom mapping accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Lesion-symptom mapping assumes direct links between behavioral deficits and structural brain damage.
- Acute stroke research highlights perfusion deficits impacting function, even in structurally intact areas.
- Cerebral perfusion in chronic stroke remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebral perfusion using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI in patients with chronic left hemisphere stroke.
- To explore the relationship between infarct size, perfusion deficits, and peri-infarct tissue in chronic stroke.
Main Methods:
- Utilized arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI to assess cerebral perfusion.
- Examined 17 patients diagnosed with chronic left hemisphere stroke.
- Correlated infarct size with observed perfusion levels.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a significant decrease in left hemisphere perfusion in chronic stroke patients.
- Identified reduced perfusion predominantly in peri-infarct regions.
- Found a strong correlation between larger infarct size and diminished cerebral perfusion.
Conclusions:
- Findings challenge the direct lesion-symptom mapping assumption in chronic stroke.
- Abnormal neurovascular function in peri-infarct areas may contribute to behavioral impairments.
- Highlights the need to consider perfusion deficits in functional MRI studies of chronic stroke.
