Process of the Functional Reorganization of the Cortical Centers for Movement in GBM Patients: fMRI Study

The aim of this study was to verify whether the functional reorganization of motor cortex is associated with the increase in the size of WHO type IV glioma lesion, that is, disease duration and development, and whether surgical treatment has an impact on cerebral plasticity.

The study included 16 patients with primary tumors of the brain located at the region of central sulcus. The clinical status of patients and tumor volume was determined. Functional magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed before and 3 months after operation.

The activity of all cortical centers, both contralateral and ipsilateral, was observed in a group of small as well as large tumors. The intensity of activation and the number of activated clusters of small tumors were almost always higher as compared with the large tumors. The frequency of the activity of contralateral areas was similar during the first and the second examination. In the case of ipsilateral centers, the frequency of activation during the second examination was lower. Mean values of t-statistics during the first examination were higher than during the second examination. Supplementary motor area (SMAa) was the only center for which the mean values of activation intensity remained similar.

SMAa seems to play the most important role in the processes of motor cortex plasticity in high-grade glioma patients. Surgery seems not having a significant influence on the pattern of functional reorganization of the cortical centers for movement. Identification of the individual patterns of the reorganization of motor centers plays an important role in clinical practice.