Abstract
Objective.
Somatosensory function is critical to normal motor control. After
stroke, dysfunction of the sensory systems prevents normal motor
function and degrades quality of life. Structural neuroplasticity
underpinnings of sensory recovery after stroke are not fully understood.
The objective of this study was to identify changes in bilateral
cortical thickness (CT) that may drive recovery of sensory acuity.
Methods.
Chronic stroke survivors (n = 20) were treated with 12 weeks of
rehabilitation. Measures were sensory acuity (monofilament), Fugl-Meyer
upper limb and CT change. Permutation-based general linear regression
modeling identified cortical regions in which change in CT was
associated with change in sensory acuity.
Results. For the
ipsilesional hemisphere in response to treatment, CT increase was
significantly associated with sensory improvement in the area
encompassing the occipital pole, lateral occipital cortex (inferior and
superior divisions), intracalcarine cortex, cuneal cortex, precuneus
cortex, inferior temporal gyrus, occipital fusiform gyrus,
supracalcarine cortex, and temporal occipital fusiform cortex.(Great word salad there, you want to make sure survivors can't understand a thing. Good work on that, you succeeded.) For the
contralesional hemisphere, increased CT was associated with improved
sensory acuity within the posterior parietal cortex that included
supramarginal and angular gyri. Following upper limb therapy,
monofilament test score changed from 45.0 ± 13.3 to 42.6 ± 12.9 mm (P = .063) and Fugl-Meyer score changed from 22.1 ± 7.8 to 32.3 ± 10.1 (P < .001).
Conclusions.
Rehabilitation in the chronic stage after stroke produced structural
brain changes that were strongly associated with enhanced sensory
acuity. Improved sensory perception was associated with increased CT in
bilateral high-order association sensory cortices reflecting the complex
nature of sensory function and recovery in response to rehabilitation.
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