ABSTRACT
Objective To study the characteristics of the hand motor cortex in ataxia patients during active and passive finger-to-thumb opposition movements using bold oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI). Methods Ten right-handed healthy volunteers and 16 ataxia patients with motor cortex lesions were selected, and whole-brain BOLD-fMRI examinations were made while the subjects were performing the active and passive movements. Activated volume and intensity were recorded from the corresponding motor cortex and analyzed quantitatively. Meanwhile, the patients' coordination was evaluated using the international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS). Results During passive movement of the ataxia patient's affected hands, the ipsilateral supplementary motor area (SMA) activated volume was larger than that during normal ipsilateral hand movement, and the activation intensity was also higher than that in the healthy controls. The ipsilateral cerebellum activated volume and intensity were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the frequency of appearance of the cerebellum was also less. The patients' activated volume and intensity in the ipsilateral cerebellum showed no correlation with ICARS scores. Conclusions When the ataxia patients' affected side cerebellum was dysfunctional, the ipsilateral SMA could compensate for the weak cerebellum function. The ICARS does not reflect cerebellum function.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe any change in the active volume of the hand motor cortex during rehabilitation therapy after acute cerebral infarction and analyze the mechanisms involved in motor function rehabilitation.Metbods Of 16 patients with acute brain infarction,8 were administered routine intemal medicine treatment only,while and the other 8 received rehabilitation therapy in addition.Before treatment and after 14 days,the patients were assessed with functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)and the Fugl-Meyer assessment of motor function (FMA).The active volume of the motor cortex was compared between the two groups of patients.Ten healthy volunteers were examined with fMRI to confirm the location and the volume ofthe active area when performing the sanle exercises.Results After treatment,all the 16 patients showed increased motor cortex active volume,and their FMA scores also increased.Those receiving rehabilitation therapy improved tO a significantly greater extent than those treated with internal medicine treatment alone.Conclusion Rehabilitation of patients with acute infarction Can activate a greater volume of the motor cortex and promote functional recovery.