Cortical Activation Patterns of Cue-Paced Foot Movement in Subacute Stroke Patients

Abstract

Limb movement is associated with well defined cortical activation patterns. Structural and functional changes in the brain affect the characteristics of these patterns (strength and topography). Novel strategies for poststroke motor rehabilitation could monitor cortical activity as an additional index of engagement and/or recovery. In this work we analyze differences in cortical activation related to movements of the affected vs. un-affected-foot (dorsiflexion). Our results show stronger cortical activation during movements of the affected foot, and stronger responses at the vertex. Online assessment of cortical activation and the experiment described in this work could be added to traditional motor rehabilitation.