Correlations between CT scan and sensorimotor EEG rhythms in patients with cerebrovascular disorders

Fifty subjects with cerebrovascular disorders and motor deficits, all able to perform a voluntary hand movement and aged between 33 and 78 years, were involved in this study. CT scan and computerized analysis of sensorimotor rhythms (mu rhythm and central beta rhythm) were performed for all patients. From the mu rhythm, the hemispheric asymmetry in amplitude and ERD during movement (ERD = event-related desynchronization) was measured and referred to a group of 38 neurologically normal subjects. Comparisons of CT scan data and EEG findings indicate a high correlation between morphological and functional findings. This correlation can be used to predict the localization of a lesion in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) based only on the amplitude and reactivity pattern of the mu rhythm. Thus, for example, an ipsilaterally enhanced mu rhythm in connection with a symmetric ERD indicates with a probability of 95% a deep, and with only 5%, a superficial lesion. Hemispheric mu amplitude symmetry and asymmetric ERD indicate a superficial cortical ischemia with a probability of 81%. An ipsilaterally attenuated mu rhythm accompanied by an asymmetric or abolished ERD indicates with 62% and 55%, respectively, a large extension of the infarct over the whole territory of the MCA.