Open AccessStructural connectivity analyses in motor recovery research after stroke
Author(s) -
Koch Philipp,
Schulz Robert,
Hummel Friedhelm C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.278
Subject(s) - corticospinal tract , diffusion mri , stroke (engine) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , motor function , medicine , neuroscience , motor impairment , functional connectivity , stroke recovery , motor cortex , pyramidal tracts , residual , ischemic stroke , magnetic resonance imaging , physical therapy , psychology , computer science , rehabilitation , ischemia , cardiology , radiology , stimulation , mechanical engineering , algorithm , engineering
Structural connectivity analyses by means of diffusion‐weighted imaging have substantially advanced the understanding of stroke‐related network alterations and their implications for motor recovery processes and residual motor function. Analyses of the corticospinal tract, alternate corticofugal pathways as well as intrahemispheric and interhemispheric corticocortical connections have not only been related to residual motor function in cross‐sectional studies, but have also been evaluated to predict functional recovery after stroke in longitudinal studies. This review will consist of an update on the available literature about structural connectivity analyses after ischemic motor stroke, followed by an outlook of possible future directions of research and applications.