Increased functional connectivity after stroke correlates with behavioral scores in non-human primate model

Here we characterized the functional connectivity (FC) changes occurring after a controlled MCA stroke in a primate model. We hypothesize that if FC can inform about the neural changes after a stroke in the non-human primate (NHP) stroke model, then significant FC changes after the stroke would have to correlate with the remaining behavioral capacities. Eleven cynomolgus monkeys underwent an experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion while five monkeys remained as the control group. One month later the neurological function was assessed with a set of fine motor tasks and the Nonhuman Primate Stroke Scale (NHPSS). Structural and functional connectivity analyses were done to compare both groups. Three FC changes showed significant behavioral correlations: right sensorimotor-right lateral intraparietal FC with the six-well task; left posterior intraparietal-left dorsal premotor FC with the hill task; and right visual-left primary motor FC with the NHPSS. In the three instances, stronger FC correlated with better behavioral outcome. The results show that the functional changes correlating with behavioral outcomes involved sensorimotor cortices that were not restricted to the affected hemisphere. These results show that the FC analysis in NHP stroke model is a relevant methodology suitable to inform the neural changes occurring after a stroke.