Structural and functional disconnections in non-acute post-stroke patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Motor dysfunction after stroke is common but underlying brain alterations are not fully understood.
• Previous research has not clearly defined structural and functional connectivity changes in non-acute stroke patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in structural connectivity (SC) and functional connectivity (FC) in non-acute stroke patients.
• To explore the relationship between these connectivity changes and motor performance.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) were used.
• 36 non-acute stroke patients and 38 healthy controls (HCs) were analyzed.
• Correlations between SC, FC, and motor scores (Fugl-Meyer assessment) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Stroke patients exhibited decreased SC and FC in sensorimotor and higher-order brain regions compared to HCs.
• Specific SC-FC correlations were observed within the stroke group.
• FC between the right superior marginal gyrus and right middle temporal gyrus negatively correlated with motor function scores.

Conclusions:

• This study reveals widespread SC and FC disconnections in stroke patients.
• Findings enhance understanding of structure-function interactions in post-stroke motor deficits.
• Identified brain regions and connectivity patterns may inform rehabilitation strategies.