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Han Y, Jing Y, Shi Y, Mo H, Wan Y, Zhou H, Deng F. The role of language-related functional brain regions and white matter tracts in network plasticity of post-stroke aphasia. J Neurol 2024; 271:3095-3115. [PMID: 38607432 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12358-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The neural mechanisms underlying language recovery after a stroke remain controversial. This review aimed to summarize the plasticity and reorganization mechanisms of the language network through neuroimaging studies. Initially, we discussed the involvement of right language homologues, perilesional tissue, and domain-general networks. Subsequently, we summarized the white matter functional mapping and remodeling mechanisms associated with language subskills. Finally, we explored how non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) promoted language recovery by inducing neural network plasticity. It was observed that the recruitment of right hemisphere language area homologues played a pivotal role in the early stages of frontal post-stroke aphasia (PSA), particularly in patients with larger lesions. Perilesional plasticity correlated with improved speech performance and prognosis. The domain-general networks could respond to increased "effort" in a task-dependent manner from the top-down when the downstream language network was impaired. Fluency, repetition, comprehension, naming, and reading skills exhibited overlapping and unique dual-pathway functional mapping models. In the acute phase, the structural remodeling of white matter tracts became challenging, with recovery predominantly dependent on cortical activation. Similar to the pattern of cortical activation, during the subacute and chronic phases, improvements in language functions depended, respectively, on the remodeling of right white matter tracts and the restoration of left-lateralized language structural network patterns. Moreover, the midline superior frontal gyrus/dorsal anterior cingulate cortex emerged as a promising target for NIBS. These findings offered theoretical insights for the early personalized treatment of aphasia after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Han
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jing
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanmin Shi
- Health Management (Physical Examination) Center, The Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongbin Mo
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yafei Wan
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Fang Deng
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Harrington RM, Kristinsson S, Wilmskoetter J, Busby N, den Ouden D, Rorden C, Fridriksson J, Bonilha L. Dissociating reading and auditory comprehension in persons with aphasia. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae102. [PMID: 38585671 PMCID: PMC10998352 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Language comprehension is often affected in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. However, deficits in auditory comprehension are not fully correlated with deficits in reading comprehension and the mechanisms underlying this dissociation remain unclear. This distinction is important for understanding language mechanisms, predicting long-term impairments and future development of treatment interventions. Using comprehensive auditory and reading measures from a large cohort of individuals with aphasia, we evaluated the relationship between aphasia type and reading comprehension impairments, the relationship between auditory versus reading comprehension deficits and the crucial neuroanatomy supporting the dissociation between post-stroke reading and auditory deficits. Scores from the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised from 70 participants with aphasia after a left-hemisphere stroke were utilized to evaluate both reading and auditory comprehension of linguistically equivalent stimuli. Repeated-measures and univariate ANOVA were used to assess the relationship between auditory comprehension and aphasia types and correlations were employed to test the relationship between reading and auditory comprehension deficits. Lesion-symptom mapping was used to determine the dissociation of crucial brain structures supporting reading comprehension deficits controlling for auditory deficits and vice versa. Participants with Broca's or global aphasia had the worst performance on reading comprehension. Auditory comprehension explained 26% of the variance in reading comprehension for sentence completion and 44% for following sequential commands. Controlling for auditory comprehension, worse reading comprehension performance was independently associated with damage to the inferior temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, posterior inferior temporal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, lingual gyrus and posterior thalamic radiation. Auditory and reading comprehension are only partly correlated in aphasia. Reading is an integral part of daily life and directly associated with quality of life and functional outcomes. This study demonstrated that reading performance is directly related to lesioned areas in the boundaries between visual association regions and ventral stream language areas. This behavioural and neuroanatomical dissociation provides information about the neurobiology of language and mechanisms for potential future treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M Harrington
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Center for Research on the Challenges of Acquiring Language and Literacy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Sigfus Kristinsson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Janina Wilmskoetter
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29464, USA
| | - Natalie Busby
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Dirk den Ouden
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Chris Rorden
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Julius Fridriksson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Leonardo Bonilha
- School of Medicine Columbia, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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Ivanova MV, Pappas I, Inglis B, Pracar AL, Herron TJ, Baldo JV, Kayser AS, D’Esposito M, Dronkers NF. Cerebral perfusion in post-stroke aphasia and its relationship to residual language abilities. Brain Commun 2023; 6:fcad252. [PMID: 38162898 PMCID: PMC10757451 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Stroke alters blood flow to the brain resulting in damaged tissue and cell death. Moreover, the disruption of cerebral blood flow (perfusion) can be observed in areas surrounding and distal to the lesion. These structurally preserved but suboptimally perfused regions may also affect recovery. Thus, to better understand aphasia recovery, the relationship between cerebral perfusion and language needs to be systematically examined. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate (i) how stroke affects perfusion outside of lesioned areas in chronic aphasia and (ii) how perfusion in specific cortical areas and perilesional tissue relates to language outcomes in aphasia. We analysed perfusion data from a large sample of participants with chronic aphasia due to left hemisphere stroke (n = 43) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 25). We used anatomically defined regions of interest that covered the frontal, parietal, and temporal areas of the perisylvian cortex in both hemispheres, areas typically known to support language, along with several control regions not implicated in language processing. For the aphasia group, we also looked at three regions of interest in the perilesional tissue. We compared perfusion levels between the two groups and investigated the relationship between perfusion levels and language subtest scores while controlling for demographic and lesion variables. First, we observed that perfusion levels outside the lesioned areas were significantly reduced in frontal and parietal regions in the left hemisphere in people with aphasia compared to the control group, while no differences were observed for the right hemisphere regions. Second, we found that perfusion in the left temporal lobe (and most strongly in the posterior part of both superior and middle temporal gyri) and inferior parietal areas (supramarginal gyrus) was significantly related to residual expressive and receptive language abilities. In contrast, perfusion in the frontal regions did not show such a relationship; no relationship with language was also observed for perfusion levels in control areas and all right hemisphere regions. Third, perilesional perfusion was only marginally related to language production abilities. Cumulatively, the current findings demonstrate that blood flow is reduced beyond the lesion site in chronic aphasia and that hypoperfused neural tissue in critical temporoparietal language areas has a negative impact on behavioural outcomes. These results, using perfusion imaging, underscore the critical and general role that left hemisphere posterior temporal regions play in various expressive and receptive language abilities. Overall, the study highlights the importance of exploring perfusion measures in stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Ivanova
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Research Service, VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
| | - Ioannis Pappas
- Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ben Inglis
- Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Alexis L Pracar
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Timothy J Herron
- Research Service, VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
| | - Juliana V Baldo
- Research Service, VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
| | - Andrew S Kayser
- Division of Neurology, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mark D’Esposito
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Neurology Service, VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
| | - Nina F Dronkers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Depertment of Neurology, University of California, Davis, CA 95817, USA
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Li CX, Tong F, Kempf D, Howell L, Zhang X. Longitudinal evaluation of the functional connectivity changes in the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) of the monkey brain during acute stroke. CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 5:100097. [PMID: 37404949 PMCID: PMC10315998 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Somatosensory deficits are frequently seen in acute stroke patients and may recover over time and affect functional outcome. However, the underlying mechanism of function recovery remains poorly understood. In the present study, progressive function alteration of the secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) and its relationship with regional perfusion and neurological outcome were examined using a monkey model of stroke. Methods and materials Rhesus monkeys (n = 4) were induced with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo). Resting-state functional MRI, dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI, diffusion-weighted, T1 and T2 weighted images were collected before surgery and at 4-6, 48, and 96 h post stroke on a 3T scanner. Progressive changes of relative functional connectivity (FC), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and CBF/Tmax (Time to Maximum) of affected S2 regions were evaluated. Neurological deficits were assessed using the Spetzler approach. Results Ischemic lesion was evidently seen in the MCA territory including S2 in each monkey. Relative FC of injured S2 regions decreased substantially following stroke. Spetzler scores dropped substantially at 24 h post stroke but slightly recovered from Day 2 to Day 4. Relative FC progressively increased from 6 to 48 and 96 h post stroke and correlated significantly with relative CBFand CBF/Tmax changes. Conclusion The present study revealed the progressive alteration of function connectivity in S2 during acute stroke. The preliminary results suggested the function recovery might start couple days post occlusion and collateral circulation might play a key role in the recovery of somatosensory function after stroke insult. The relative function connectivity in S2 may provide additional information for prediction of functional outcome in stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Xia Li
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
| | - Frank Tong
- Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia
| | - Doty Kempf
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
| | - Leonard Howell
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, 30329, Georgia
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Ivanova MV, Pappas I. Understanding recovery of language after stroke: insights from neurovascular MRI studies. FRONTIERS IN LANGUAGE SCIENCES 2023; 2:1163547. [PMID: 38162928 PMCID: PMC10757818 DOI: 10.3389/flang.2023.1163547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Stroke causes a disruption in blood flow to the brain that can lead to profound language impairments. Understanding the mechanisms of language recovery after stroke is crucial for the prognosis and effective rehabilitation of people with aphasia. While the role of injured brain structures and disruptions in functional connectivity have been extensively explored, the relationship between neurovascular measures and language recovery in both early and later stages has not received sufficient attention in the field. Fully functioning healthy brain tissue requires oxygen and nutrients to be delivered promptly via its blood supply. Persistent decreases in blood flow after a stroke to the remaining non-lesioned tissue have been shown to contribute to poor language recovery. The goal of the current paper is to critically examine stroke studies looking at the relationship between different neurovascular measures and language deficits and mechanisms of language recovery via changes in neurovascular metrics. Measures of perfusion or cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) provide complementary approaches to understanding neurovascular mechanisms post stroke by capturing both cerebral metabolic demands and mechanical vascular properties. While CBF measures indicate the amount of blood delivered to a certain region and serve as a proxy for metabolic demands of that area, CVR indices reflect the ability of the vasculature to recruit blood flow in response to a shortage of oxygen, such as when one is holding their breath. Increases in CBF during recovery beyond the site of the lesion have been shown to promote language gains. Similarly, CVR changes, when collateral vessels are recruited to help reorganize the flow of blood in hypoperfused regions, have been related to functional recovery post stroke. In the current review, we highlight the main findings in the literature investigating neurovascular changes in stroke recovery with a particular emphasis on how language abilities can be affected by changes in CBF and CVR. We conclude by summarizing existing methodological challenges and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in future work in this area, outlining a promising avenue of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Ivanova
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Ioannis Pappas
- USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Shah-Basak P, Boukrina O, Li XR, Jebahi F, Kielar A. Targeted neurorehabilitation strategies in post-stroke aphasia. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2023; 41:129-191. [PMID: 37980575 PMCID: PMC10741339 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-231344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aphasia is a debilitating language impairment, affecting millions of people worldwide. About 40% of stroke survivors develop chronic aphasia, resulting in life-long disability. OBJECTIVE This review examines extrinsic and intrinsic neuromodulation techniques, aimed at enhancing the effects of speech and language therapies in stroke survivors with aphasia. METHODS We discuss the available evidence supporting the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and functional MRI (fMRI) real-time neurofeedback in aphasia rehabilitation. RESULTS This review systematically evaluates studies focusing on efficacy and implementation of specialized methods for post-treatment outcome optimization and transfer to functional skills. It considers stimulation target determination and various targeting approaches. The translation of neuromodulation interventions to clinical practice is explored, emphasizing generalization and functional communication. The review also covers real-time fMRI neurofeedback, discussing current evidence for efficacy and essential implementation parameters. Finally, we address future directions for neuromodulation research in aphasia. CONCLUSIONS This comprehensive review aims to serve as a resource for a broad audience of researchers and clinicians interested in incorporating neuromodulation for advancing aphasia care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Boukrina
- Kessler Foundation, Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, West Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Xin Ran Li
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Fatima Jebahi
- Department of Speech, Languageand Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Aneta Kielar
- Department of Speech, Languageand Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Barrett AM, Goedert KM, Carter AR, Chaudhari A. Spatial neglect treatment: The brain's spatial-motor Aiming systems. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2022; 32:662-688. [PMID: 33941021 PMCID: PMC9632633 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1862678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Animal and human literature supports spatial-motor "Aiming" bias, a frontal-subcortical syndrome, as a core deficit in spatial neglect. However, spatial neglect treatment studies rarely assess Aiming errors. Two knowledge gaps result: spatial neglect rehabilitation studies fail to capture the impact on motor-exploratory aspects of functional disability. Also, across spatial neglect treatment studies, discrepant treatment effects may also result from sampling different proportions of patients with Aiming bias. We review behavioural evidence for Aiming spatial neglect, and demonstrate the importance of measuring and targeting Aiming bias for treatment, by reviewing literature on Aiming spatial neglect and prism adaptation treatment, and presenting new preliminary data on bromocriptine treatment. Finally, we review neuroanatomical and network disruption that may give rise to Aiming spatial neglect. Because Aiming spatial neglect predicts prism adaptation treatment response, assessment may broaden the ability of rehabilitation research to capture functionally-relevant disability. Frontal brain lesions predict both the presence of Aiming spatial neglect, and a robust response to some spatial neglect interventions. Research is needed that co-stratifies spatial neglect patients by lesion location and Aiming spatial neglect, to personalize spatial neglect rehabilitation and perhaps even open a path to spatial retraining as a means of promoting better mobility after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Barrett
- Neurorehabilitation Division, Emory Brain Health Center, and Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Health System, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Kelly M Goedert
- Department of Psychology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Alexandre R Carter
- Neurorehabilitation Division, Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amit Chaudhari
- Department of Neurology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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8
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Walenski M, Chen Y, Litcofsky KA, Caplan D, Kiran S, Rapp B, Parrish TB, Thompson CK. Perilesional Perfusion in Chronic Stroke-Induced Aphasia and Its Response to Behavioral Treatment Interventions. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2022; 3:345-363. [PMID: 35685084 PMCID: PMC9169892 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Stroke-induced alterations in cerebral blood flow (perfusion) may contribute to functional language impairments in chronic aphasia, particularly in perilesional tissue. Abnormal perfusion in this region may also serve as a biomarker for predicting functional improvements with behavioral treatment interventions. Using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we examined perfusion in chronic aphasia, in perilesional rings in the left hemisphere and their right hemisphere homologues. In the left hemisphere we found a gradient pattern of decreasing perfusion closer to the lesion. The opposite pattern was found in the right hemisphere, with significantly increased perfusion close to the lesion homologue. Perfusion was also increased in the right hemisphere lesion homologue region relative to the surrounding tissue. We next examined changes in perfusion in two groups: one group who underwent MRI scanning before and after three months of a behavioral treatment intervention that led to significant language gains, and a second group who was scanned twice at a three-month interval without a treatment intervention. For both groups, there was no difference in perfusion over time in either the left or the right hemisphere. Moreover, within the treatment group pre-treatment perfusion scores did not predict treatment response; neither did pre-treatment perfusion predict post-treatment language performance. These results indicate that perfusion is chronically abnormal in both hemispheres, but chronically abnormal perfusion did not change in response to our behavioral treatment interventions, and did not predict responsiveness to language treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Walenski
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Yufen Chen
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Kaitlyn A. Litcofsky
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - David Caplan
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Swathi Kiran
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing, College of Health & Rehabilitation, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Brenda Rapp
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Cognitive Science, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Todd B. Parrish
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Radiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
| | - Cynthia K. Thompson
- Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
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9
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Cerebral blood flow and cognitive outcome after pediatric stroke in the middle cerebral artery. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19421. [PMID: 34593847 PMCID: PMC8484584 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98309-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptive recovery of cerebral perfusion after pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is sought to be crucial for sustainable rehabilitation of cognitive functions. We therefore examined cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the chronic stage after stroke and its association with cognitive outcome in patients after pediatric AIS. This cross-sectional study investigated CBF and cognitive functions in 14 patients (age 13.5 ± 4.4 years) after pediatric AIS in the middle cerebral artery (time since AIS was at least 2 years prior to assessment) when compared with 36 healthy controls (aged 13.8 ± 4.3 years). Cognitive functions were assessed with neuropsychological tests, CBF was measured with arterial spin labeled imaging in the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral artery (ACA, MCA, PCA). Patients had significantly lower IQ scores and poorer cognitive functions compared to healthy controls (p < 0.026) but mean performance was within the normal range in all cognitive domains. Arterial spin labeled imaging revealed significantly lower CBF in the ipsilesional MCA and PCA in patients compared to healthy controls. Further, we found significantly higher interhemispheric perfusion imbalance in the MCA in patients compared to controls. Higher interhemispheric perfusion imbalance in the MCA was significantly associated with lower working memory performance. Our findings revealed that even years after a pediatric stroke in the MCA, reduced ipsilesional cerebral blood flow occurs in the MCA and PCA and that interhemispheric imbalance is associated with cognitive performance. Thus, our data suggest that cerebral hypoperfusion might underlie some of the variability observed in long-term outcome after pediatric stroke.
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10
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Pellicciari L, Agosti M, Goffredo M, Pournajaf S, Le Pera D, De Pisi F, Franceschini M, Damiani C. Factors Influencing Functional Outcome at Discharge: A Retrospective Study on a Large Sample of Patients Admitted to an Intensive Rehabilitation Unit. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2021; 100:483-491. [PMID: 32889862 DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000001582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional outcome represents the most central objective of rehabilitation programs. Understanding which factors could affect functional status at discharge is crucial for the planning of appropriate treatments in both neurologic and orthopedic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate which clinical and demographic variables, collected at the patient's admission, could influence the functional outcome, assessed by the modified Barthel Index (mBI), at discharge. DESIGN A retrospective study was conducted on a large cohort (n = 3548) of orthopedic and neurologic patients. Functional, demographic, and clinical records at patient admission and mBI score at discharge were collected. General linear model analysis was performed to assess the influence of these variables on functional outcome at discharge. RESULTS The results reported a significant effect of mBI score at admission (P < 0.0001), age (P < 0.0001), and time from the acute event (P < 0.0001) on mBI score at discharge. Moreover, the disease type (neurologic or orthopedic) adjusted by sex (male or female) and presence of different impairments (cognitive and behavioral impairments) and complications (hypertension and cardiovascular diseases) significantly influenced mBI score at discharge (P < 0.05) (R2 = 0.497). No significant interactions between other factors were found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Several prognostic factors should be considered when planning an appropriate tailored rehabilitation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Pellicciari
- From the Neurorehabilitation Research Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy (LP, MG, SP, DLP, FDP, MF, CD); Rehabilitation Medicine Service, Rehabilitation Geriatrics Department of the NHS-University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy (MA); and San Raffaele University, Rome, Italy (MF)
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11
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Boukrina O, Barrett AM, Graves WW. Cerebral perfusion of the left reading network predicts recovery of reading in subacute to chronic stroke. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:5301-5314. [PMID: 31452284 PMCID: PMC6864894 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Better understanding of cerebral blood flow (CBF) perfusion in stroke recovery can help inform decisions about optimal timing and targets of restorative treatments. In this study, we examined the relationship between cerebral perfusion and recovery from stroke‐induced reading deficits. Left stroke patients were tested with a noninvasive CBF measure (arterial spin labeling) <5 weeks post‐stroke, and a subset had follow up testing >3 months post‐stroke. We measured blood flow perfusion within the left and right sides of the brain, in areas surrounding the lesion, and areas belonging to the reading network. Two hypotheses were tested. The first was that recovery of reading function depends on increased perfusion around the stroke lesion. This hypothesis was not supported by our findings. The second hypothesis was that increased perfusion of intact areas within the reading circuit is tightly coupled with recovery. Our findings are consistent with this hypothesis. Specifically, higher perfusion in the left reading network measured during the subacute stroke period predicted better reading ability and phonology competence in the chronic period. In contrast, higher perfusion of the right homologous regions was associated with decreased reading accuracy and phonology competence in the subacute and chronic periods. These findings suggest that recovery of reading and language competence may rely on improved blood flow in the reading network of the language‐dominant hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Boukrina
- Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - A M Barrett
- Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey.,Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, New Jersey
| | - William W Graves
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey
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