Longitudinal Study of Spatial Correlations Between Brain Imaging Changes and Atlas-Based Neurotransmitter Maps in...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Ischemic stroke can cause motor deficits due to neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, dopamine).
• The relationship between stroke's biological mechanisms and imaging changes is not well understood.
• Neuroplasticity is crucial for recovery after stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neuroplasticity changes in chronic subcortical ischemic stroke patients.
• To assess changes before and after a 1-month pharmacological intervention.
• To explore spatial connections between biological mechanisms and imaging alterations.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study design with two T1-weighted and resting-state functional MRI scans, 1 month apart.
• Assessment of gray matter (GM) volume and voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC).
• Correlation analysis of neuroimaging metrics with neurotransmitter distribution and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Intervention increased GM volume in the middle cingulate cortex (MCC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and precentral gyrus.
• VMHC increased in the inferior parietal lobe, precentral gyrus, SMA, MCC, and cerebellum.
• Neuroimaging metrics in SMA and precentral gyrus correlated with clinical outcomes.
• GM volume and VMHC showed connections with serotonergic and cholinergic systems.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacological intervention induces significant neuroplastic changes in stroke patients.
• These changes involve gray matter volume and functional connectivity alterations.
• Neuroimaging findings correlate with clinical recovery and underlying neurotransmitter systems.