Resting-State Electroencephalogram Microstate and Correlations with Motor Function and Balance in Chronic Stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Neurology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Chronic stroke survivors often experience persistent motor, balance, and cognitive impairments.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) microstates represent fundamental, large-scale neuronal network states.
• Understanding EEG microstate alterations in stroke could reveal underlying neural mechanisms of dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare EEG microstates between chronic stroke patients and healthy controls.
• To investigate correlations between EEG microstate parameters and clinical/functional outcomes in stroke.
• To explore the potential of EEG microstates as biomarkers for stroke.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, correlational study involving 27 chronic stroke patients and 27 matched healthy controls.
• 32-channel EEG recorded during eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, analyzing microstates A, B, C, and D.
• Clinical assessments included the modified Rankin Scale, Fugl-Meyer Scale, cognitive function, fear of falling, and balance tests.

Main Results:

• In eyes-open condition, microstate C duration correlated with functional disability.
• In eyes-closed condition, microstate C coverage/occurrence and microstate B duration correlated with motor function, balance, and fear of falling.
• Significant correlations highlight the link between specific microstate dynamics and stroke-related functional impairments.

Conclusions:

• Alterations in EEG microstates are associated with clinical and functional characteristics in chronic stroke.
• The findings suggest EEG microstates could serve as valuable biomarkers for assessing stroke severity and recovery.
• Further research into EEG microstate analysis may enhance neurorehabilitation strategies for stroke patients.