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AuthorSinke, Michel R. T.
Authorvan Tilborg, Geralda A. F.
AuthorMeerwaldt, Anu E.
Authorvan Heijningen, Caroline L.
Authorvan der Toorn, Annette
AuthorStraathof, Milou
AuthorRakib, Fazle
AuthorAli, Mohamed H. M.
AuthorAl-Saad, Khalid
AuthorOtte, Willem M.
AuthorDijkhuizen, Rick M.
Available date2024-04-29T07:07:47Z
Publication Date2021
Publication NameNeurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
ResourceScopus
ISSN15459683
URIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15459683211041318
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/54413
AbstractBackground. Recovery of motor function after stroke appears to be related to the integrity of axonal connections in the corticospinal tract (CST) and corpus callosum, which may both be affected after cortical stroke. Objective. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship of changes in measures of the CST and transcallosal tract integrity, with the interhemispheric functional connectivity and sensorimotor performance after experimental cortical stroke. Methods. We conducted in vivo diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI, and behavior testing in twenty-five male Sprague Dawley rats recovering from unilateral photothrombotic stroke in the sensorimotor cortex. Twenty-three healthy rats served as controls. Results. A reduction in the number of reconstructed fibers, a lower fractional anisotropy, and higher radial diffusivity in the ipsilesional but intact CST, reflected remote white matter degeneration. In contrast, transcallosal tract integrity remained preserved. Functional connectivity between the ipsi- and contralesional forelimb regions of the primary somatosensory cortex significantly reduced at week 8 post-stroke. Comparably, usage of the stroke-affected forelimb was normal at week 28, following significant initial impairment between day 1 and week 8 post-stroke. Conclusions. Our study shows that post-stroke motor recovery is possible despite degeneration in the CST and may be supported by intact neuronal communication between hemispheres.
SponsorThe author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was funded by NPRP grant no. NPRP-5-381-3-101 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation) and a VICI grant (016.130.662) from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.
Languageen
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc.
Subjectbehavior
brain
corticospinal tract
diffusion magnetic resonance imaging
diffusion tractography
stroke
TitleRemote Corticospinal Tract Degeneration After Cortical Stroke in Rats May Not Preclude Spontaneous Sensorimotor Recovery
TypeArticle
Pagination1010-1019
Issue Number11
Volume Number35
dc.accessType Open Access


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