Pilot Study of Functional MRI to Assess Cerebral Activation of Motor Function After Poststroke Hemiparesis

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Abstract
Background and Purpose—Studies of cerebral activation of motor function after ischemic stroke may enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of motor functional recovery, including the role of the noninfarcted hemisphere. Methods—Eight right-handed recovering hemiparetic or hemiplegic patients were studied using functional MRI. Results were evaluated for each patient to consider individual variability in original functional organization, neuroanatomy, infarct size and extent, treatment, age, and sex. The results were also pooled as a group for comparison with a control group of eight right-handed normal subjects. Results—In six of eight stroke patients, extended activation in ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex was observed during paretic hand movements. Bilateral activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex was recorded in three of these six patients; ipsilateral activation alone was recorded in the remaining three patients. Only two patients had mild synkinesia. Furthermore, in two male patient...