White matter integrity of premotor-motor connections is associated with motor output in chronic stroke patients.

ABSTRACT: Corticocortical functional interactions between the primary motor cortex (M1) and secondary motor areas, such as the dorsal (PMd) and ventral (PMv) premotor cortices and the supplementary motor area (SMA) are relevant for residual motor output after subcortical stroke. We hypothesized that the microstructural integrity of the underlying white matter tracts also plays a role in preserved motor output. Using diffusion-tensor imaging we aimed at (i) reconstructing individual probable intrahemispheric connections between M1 and the three secondary areas (PMd, PMv, SMA) and (ii) examining the extent to which the tract-related microstructural integrity correlates with residual motor output. The microstructural integrity of the tract connecting ipsilesional M1 and PMd was significantly associated

SUBMITTER: Schulz R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4299958 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature