A relação entre o comprometimento motor e os sintomas depressivos na doença de Parkinson / The relationship between motor impairment and depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease

Trata-se de um estudo transversal retrospectivo que incluiu 27 pessoas com doença de Parkinson (DP), diagnosticados por neurologista. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar o tipo de correlação entre o grau de comprometimento motor e grau de depressão em pessoas com DP, tendo como hipótese que quanto maior o grau de comprometimento motor proporcionado pela doença, maior o grau de depressão. Foram utilizados os instrumentos Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI II) para a medida de sintomas depressivos e do grau de depressão, e a escala Hoehn & Yahr foi aplicada para identificação do grau de comprometimento motor. Foram excluídos indivíduos que não preencheram um dos instrumentos do estudo, selecionando apenas as pessoas com DP que preencheram ambos os instrumentos. Verificou-se uma correlação positiva e significativa entre os resultados do BDI -II e a escala Hoehn & Yahr modificada (r = 0,41, p = 0,035). O estudo identificou, portanto, uma associação crescente e positiva entre o grau de comprometimento motor das pessoas com DP e a presença de sintomas de depressão. Com isso, foi possível concluir que, uma pessoa com DP e maior grau de comprometimento motor, tende a apresentar maior número de sintomas depressivos e, consequentemente maior grau de depressão e vice-versa. Portanto, deve-se dedicar maior atenção à saúde mental dos casos em que a doença se expressa com maior comprometimento motor.

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that included 27 people with Parkinson's disease (PD), diagnosed by a neurologist. The objective of the study was to analyze the type of correlation between the degree of physical impairment and degree of depression in people with PD, having as hypothesis that the greater the degree of physical impairment provided by the disease, the greater the degree of depression. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI II) was used to measure depressive symptoms and the degree of depression, and the modified Hoehn & Yahr scale was applied to identify the degree of physical impairment. Individuals who did not complete one of the study instruments were excluded, selecting only those people with PD who completed both instruments. A positive and significant correlation can be verified between the results of the BDI -II and the Hoehn & Yahr scale (r = 0.41, p = 0.035). The study identified, therefore, an increasing and positive association between the degree of motor impairment of people with PD and the presence of symptoms of depression. With this, it was possible to conclude that, a person with PD and a higher degree of motor impairment, tends to present a higher number of depressive symptoms and, consequently, a higher level of depression and vice versa. Thus, the more physically compromised the person with PD is, the greater the association with a more severe depression. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to mental health in cases in which the disease is expressed with greater physical impairment.

Neuroprotective Effects of P-Coumaric Acid on Haloperidol-Induced Catalepsy Through Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Brain Dopamine Level

Objective To evaluate the effect of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) on haloperidol-induced catalepsy in Swiss albino male mice. Method To induce catalepsy, haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p.) was administered for 21 consecutive days. p-CA (50, 75, and 100 mg/kg, PO) was administered 30 min before haloperidol injection for 21 consecutive days. For catalepsy, locomotor activity and motor coordination scores were recorded on the 17, 14, and 21 days of drug treatment, while the gait analysis score was recorded on day 21. After behavioral testing, animals were sacrificed, and various biochemical and histopathology tests of the brain were conducted. Dopamine, malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activity were examined in the brain. Results Chronic administration of haloperidol significantly increased catalepsy in mice. It also produced hypolocomotion, motor coordination, and gait disturbance in mice. p-CA significantly inhibited haloperidol-induced catalepsy. Haloperidol significantly increased malondialdehyde levels in the brain. While dopamine levels in the brain dropped along with GSH, SOD, and catalase activity levels, which also had an impact on the histology of the brain. p-CA significantly reduced haloperidol-induced increases in brain oxidative stress, dopamine levels in the brain, and brain histology in mice. Discussion p-CA significantly reduced haloperidol-induced catalepsy, possibly through reducing oxidative stress and increasing brain dopamine levels. It can be a good candidate drug for extrapyramidal symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and adjuvant therapy with antipsychotic drugs.

Study on the relationship between acute stress disorder and symptom group in stroke patients with motor impairment / 中国综合临床

Objective:To explore the influence of symptom group of stroke patients with exercise disorder on acute stress disorder.Methods:Patients with stroke and motor impairment hospitalized in the Department of Neurology and surgery of North China University of technology from October 2018 to August 2019 were selected as the research objects.The general information of patients, brain injury subscale (BIS) and Stanford acute stress reaction questionnaire (SARSQ) were investigated by questionnaire.Results:A total of 324 patients with stroke and motor disorders were investigated.The demographic characteristics of education, age, degree of motor function, number of combined dysfunction and Activity Of Daily Living Scale(ADL) grade had effects on acute stress disorder, and the differences were statistically significant( P<0.05). The score of acute stress disorder in stroke patients with motor disorders was (99.60±13.69 ) points.From the highest to the lowest symptom group, the scores were obsessive symptom (11.35±2.71), depression (7.44±1.86), hostility (7.23±2.26), somatization (3.69±1.42) and psychosis (2.81±1.09). The results of correlation analysis showed that somatization, depression, obsessiveness, hostility and psychosis were positively correlated with the total score of acute stress disorder and the scores of each dimension ( r=0.164, 0.355, 0.329, 0.298, 0.279, all P<0.05), the symptoms were also positively correlated with all the dimensions of acute stress disorder(all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age(Regression coefficient=7.682, 95% CI: 4.930-10.435, P<0.001), the number of combined dysfunction(Regression coefficient=3.937, 95% CI: 0.268-7.605, P=0.036), depression(Regression coefficient=1.662, 95% CI: 0.727-2.597, P=0.001) had influence on ASD of stroke patients. Conclusion:The level of acute stress disorder in stroke patients with motor impairment is on the high side, and the characteristics of symptom group are obvious, which has a positive correlation with acute stress disorder.Medical staff should pay attention to the characteristics of symptom group and acute stress reaction level of stroke patients with motor impairment, so as to provide targeted intervention strategies to avoid disease recurrence and improve the quality of life.

La Musicoterapia Neurológica como modelo de Neurorrehabilitación / Neurologic Music Therapy as a Neurorehabilitation model

Resumen La musicoterapia neurológica (NMT) está siendo implementada en hospitales y centros de neurorrehabilitación alrededor del mundo gracias a la abundante evidencia neurocientífica y al creciente interés por los efectos de la música en el cerebro. Siendo reconocida y avalada por la World Federation for Neurorehabilitation, la musicoterapia neurológica es utilizada como intervención no-farmacológica y no-invasiva para tratar a pacientes con trastornos neurológicos que presentan disfunciones cognitivas, motoras, y/o del lenguaje. Este artículo busca dar a conocer a esta disciplina como un método efectivo y basado en evidencia para tratar los desórdenes neurológicos.

Abstract Neurologic music therapy (NMT) is being implemented in hospitals and neurorehabilitation facilities around the world, thanks to the abundant neuroscience research and to the growing interest in the effects of music on the brain. Recognized and endorsed by the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation, neurologic music therapy is utilized as a non-pharmacological, non-invasive intervention to treat patients with neurologic disease that present cognitive, motor, and/or language impairments. This article aspires to introduce this discipline as an effective, evidence-based method of treatment for neurologic disease.

AACVOX: mobile application for augmentative alternative communication to help people with speech disorder and motor impairment

AbstractIntroduction: Communication is a fundamental element for the development of human beings, promoting their coexistence in society. However, changes in muscle tone, associated with cerebral palsy (CP), among other conditions, cause phono-articulatory dysfunctions hindering speech capabilities. Although there are resources for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), most of them do not completely satisfy the needs of individuals with motor impairment. Therefore, this study proposes a tool based on mobile technology for AAC, which can be adapted to the characteristics of the motor limitations of CP users. Methods Mobile system development was conducted employing user-centered design and development methods. Functions were developed allowing the communication of phrases through pictographic resources and a mechanism of speech synthesis, that can be customized according to specific communication needs. To validate this system, 20 CP volunteers with speech difficulties and motor impairment were recruited from two institutions in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. They operated the system following a pre-defined test protocol, and they answered a system usability scale (SUS) questionnaire, to rate the ease of learning, memorization, efficiency, occurrence of runtime errors, and the level of user satisfaction. Results The results showed a score of 85.85 ± 2.28 above the average SUS scale, for each one of the quality components assessed by the volunteers. Conclusion The developed software is user-friendly, representing a new option for AAC, and is customized according to the communication needs of people with speech disorder and motor impairment.

EVALUACIÓN COMPORTAMENTAL DEL TRASPLANTE DE hMSC-GFP+ EN UN MODELO EXPERIMENTAL DE HEMIPARKINSON EN RATA WISTAR / Behavioral Evaluation of hMSC-GFP+ Transplantation in an Hemiparkinson Experimental Model in Wistar Rat

RESUMEN Se evaluó el efecto del trasplante de hMSC-GFP+ en un modelo experimental de Enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) en 27 ratas Wistar con tres grupos experimentales: control: animales sin cirugía, (CON n=7), lesionado: animales lesionados intracerebralmente con 6-OHDA a nivel de SNpc (LES n = 10) y trasplantado: animales LES con trasplante de hMSC-GFP+ intraestriatalmente (LES-T n = 10). Con el fin de evaluar la influencia del trasplante en el comportamiento motor, un mes después de la lesión, se desarrolló una batería comportamental compuesta por Test Neurológico (compuesto también por Pole Test y Test de Barra transversal, además, de inmunofluorescencia para células de SNpc con TH). Utilizando el test de Anova, se demostró una disminución en el número de giros en animales trasplantados (p=0,005), así como en el test neurológico (p=0,0004) y en el Test de barra transversal, que colocan a este grupo en una posición intermedia con respecto a LES y CON. Existe una posible recuperación de la vía nigroestriatal mediada por el trasplante de hMSC-GFP+.

ABSTRACT The effect of hMSCs-GFP+ transplantation was evaluated in an experimental model of Parkinson's disease (PD) in 27 Wistar rats, or in three experimental groups: control (CON n=7), injured (LES n = 10) and transplanted (LES+T n = 10). In order to evaluate the influence of the transplantation on the motor behavior, one month after the injury, rotation behavior induced by apomorphine, neurological test, transversal bar and SNpc cells positive to TH were developed. Using the Anova test, there was a decrease in the number of turns in transplanted animals (p=0,005) as well as in the neurological test (p=0,0004) and in the transverse bar that lead to this group in an intermediate position regarding LES and CON groups. There is a possible recovery of the transplantation-mediated nigroestriatal pathway of hMSC-GFP +.

Synthetic Cannabinoid-Induced Immunosuppression Augments Cerebellar Dysfunction in Tetanus-Toxin Treated Mice

Synthetic cannabinoids are one of most abused new psychoactive substances. The recreational use of abused drug has aroused serious concerns about the consequences of these drugs on infection. However, the effects of synthetic cannabinoid on resistance to tetanus toxin are not fully understood yet. In the present study, we aimed to determine if the administration of synthetic cannabinoids increase the susceptibility to tetanus toxin-induced motor behavioral deficit and functional changes in cerebellar neurons in mice. Furthermore, we measured T lymphocytes marker levels, such as CD8 and CD4 which against tetanus toxin. JWH-210 administration decreased expression levels of T cell activators including cluster of differentiation (CD) 3ε, CD3γ, CD74p31, and CD74p41. In addition, we demonstrated that JWH-210 induced motor impairment and decrement of vesicle-associated membrane proteins 2 levels in the cerebellum of mice treated with tetanus toxin. Furthermore, cerebellar glutamatergic neuronal homeostasis was hampered by JWH-210 administration, as evidenced by increased glutamate concentration levels in the cerebellum. These results suggest that JWH-210 may increase the vulnerability to tetanus toxin via the regulation of immune function.

's exploration and experience in the pathogenesis and treatment of motor impairment of the trunk after stroke / 中国针灸

In the paper, it is introduced professor's recognition on the pathogenesis and professor's experience in the treatment of the motor impairment of the trunk after stroke. Professorbelieves that the motor impairment of the trunk after stroke is the essential factor affecting the rehabilitation in stroke. The motor impairment of the trunk after stroke results from brain marrow damage and spiritual impairment. Hence, regaining the consciousness and promoting the circulation of the governor vessel are the basic principles of the treatment, named regulating the mind and controlling, benefitingand warming, tonifying the kidney and filling up the essence, and promoting the circulation of the governor vessel. Those four therapeutic methods are equally important. Acupuncture, moxibusiton and herbal medicine are applied in combination in the treatment. Additionally, the psychotherapy and rehabilitation are the accessory therapies.

A new concept of assistive virtual keyboards based on a systematic review of text entry optimization techniques

Abstract Introduction: Due to the increasing popularization of computers and the internet expansion, Alternative and Augmentative Communication technologies have been employed to restore the ability to communicate of people with aphasia and tetraplegia. Virtual keyboards are one of the most primitive mechanisms for alternatively entering text and play a very important role in accomplishing this task. However, the text entry for this kind of keyboard is much slower than entering information through their physical counterparts. Many techniques and layouts have been proposed to improve the typing performance of virtual keyboards, each one concerning a different issue or solving a specific problem. However, not all of them are suitable to assist seriously people with motor impairment. Methods: In order to develop an assistive virtual keyboard with improved typing performance, we performed a systematic review on scientific databases. Results: We found 250 related papers and 52 of them were selected to compose. After that, we identified eight essentials virtual keyboard features, five methods to optimize data entry performance and five metrics to assess typing performance. Conclusion: Based on this review, we introduce a concept of an assistive, optimized, compact and adaptive virtual keyboard that gathers a set of suitable techniques such as: a new ambiguous keyboard layout, disambiguation algorithms, dynamic scan techniques, static text prediction of letters and words and, finally, the use of phonetic and similarity algorithms to reduce the user's typing error rate.

Early predictor of neurodevelopmental outcome in the high risk infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

One of the challenge of pediatricians at follow -up for high risk babies is how to identify early in-fants who is at risk of neurodevelopment disability and timely intervention,another is to find infants who will not have a neurodevelopment sequel in order to avoid unnecessary excessive intervention as soon as possible.Accurate diagnosis can be achieved through comprehensive analysis by combined with the basic knowledge,neuroimaging and follow -up of neonatal brain injury.

Clinical Efficacy of a Double Injection Protocol of Botulinum Toxin Type A for Upper Limb Hemiparesis after Stroke / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

Background : The aim of this study was to assess the effects of repeated injections of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) combined with a rehabilitative program for treating spastic upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. Subjects and methods: Subjects were 112 poststroke hemiparetic patients with spastic upper limb (mean age : 55.5±11.6 years ±SD, mean period between onset and first injection : 5.1±3.5 years). For each patient, BoNT-A (maximum dose of each injection : 240 units) was injected in the spastic muscles of the affected upper limb twice with a minimum interval of 3 months. Following each injection, detailed one-to-one instructions for homebased functional training was provided. At the baseline (before injection) and at 1 and 3 month follow-ups after each injection, the patient's modified Ashworth scale (MAS), the range of motion (ROM) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) were evaluated. Results : The total score for the upper limb and the scores of categories A and B of the FMA increased significantly not only after the first injection but after the second injection compared with the second baseline, while the FMA score for category D increased significantly only after the second injection. MAS also decreased significantly not only after the first injection but after the second injection compared to the second baseline. Conclusion : A more significant improvement was found not only in muscle spasticity but also in upper limb motor function after two BoNT-A injections. It is suggested that repeated BoNT-A injections followed by a comprehensive rehabilitative program would be an effective treatment for limb spasticity after a stroke.

Motor Activity Log-Brazil: reliability and relationships with motor impairments in individuals with chronic stroke / Motor Activity Log-Brasil: confiabilidade e relações com a função motora em indivíduos com acidente vascular cerebral crônico

The Motor Activity Log (MAL) assesses the spontaneous use of the most affected upper limb with the amount of use (AOU) and quality of movement (QOM) scales during daily activities in real environments in individuals with chronic stroke. Objectives: This study translated the testing manual into Portuguese and assessed the inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of the MAL, based upon the Brazilian manual version. Methods: The inter-rater reliability was evaluated by comparing the results of two examiners, and the test-retest reliability was tested by comparing the results of two evaluations, repeated one-week apart with 30 individuals with chronic hemiparesis (55.8±15.1 years). Results: The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the total scores were adequate for both the inter-rater (0.98 for the AOU and 0.91 for QOM) and test-retest reliabilities (0.99 for both scales). Conclusions: The results suggested that the MAL was reliable to evaluate the spontaneous use of the most affected upper limb after stroke.

O Motor Activity Log (MAL) avalia o uso espontâneo do membro superior mais afetado por meio da escala de quantidade (EQT) e qualidade (EQL) de uso nas atividades cotidianas em ambiente real em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral crônico. Objetivo: Este estudo traduziu para o português o manual de aplicação e testou a confiabilidade interavaliadores e teste-reteste do MAL com base na versão brasileira do manual. Métodos: Participaram 30 indivíduos (55,8±15,1 anos) com hemiparesia crônica. A confiabilidade interavaliadores foi testada comparando o resultado de dois avaliadores, e a confiabilidade teste-reteste, pela comparação dos resultados de duas avaliações de um mesmo avaliador, todas com intervalo de uma semana. Resultados: As confiabilidades interavaliadores (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse - CCI=0,98 para a EQT e 0,91 para a EQL) e teste-reteste (CCI=0,99 para ambas as escalas) para os escores totais foram adequadas. Conclusões: A versão brasileira do MAL demonstrou confiabilidade adequada para avaliar o uso espontâneo do membro superior parético depois de um acidente cerebral vascular.

Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Pediatric Impairment Guideline for Brain Lesion

The permanent impairment evaluation for children in developmental stage is very difficult and it is even impossible in some cases. The impairment evaluation for developing children has not yet been included in the guideline of the American Medical Association. Due to frequent medical and social demands in Korea, we developed an impairment evaluation guideline for motor impairment, intellectual disability/mental retardation, developmental speech-language disorder and epilepsy caused by pediatric cerebral injuries, or cerebral lesions other than the developmental disorders such as autism. With the help of various literature and foreign institutions, we developed our in order to develop a scientific guideline for pediatric impairment that is suited to Korean cultural background and social condition.

Determinación del efecto de la valoración ortóptica y entrenamiento visual antes y después de cirugía refractiva corneal con láser (Lasik) / Determination of the effect of the assessment orthoptics and visual training before and after of laser corneal refractive surgery (lasik)

Objetivo: establecer la importancia de la valoración ortóptica y el entrenamiento visual antes y después de la cirugía refractiva corneal con láser, técnica Lasik.Resultados: en la evaluación pre y posquirúrgica, 6 pacientes (13.63 por ciento) no presentaron alteración oculomotora,y 37 (84.09 por ciento) reportaron algún tipo de anomalíaacomodativa o motora, de los cuales 11 pacientes (29.72 por ciento) tuvieron alteraciones combinadas, 16 (43.24 por ciento) acomodativas y 10 (37.03 por ciento) motoras. En el pre y postoperatorio las frecuencias de Hirshberg tuvieron comportamiento idéntico. En la Amplitud y la flexibilidad de acomodación no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p > 0.05) antes y después del Lasik, aunque desde el punto de vista clínico se evidenció un aumento en las alteracionesaltas y moderadas de la amplitud de acomodacióndespués de la cirugía refractiva, al igual que se evidenció la disminución de los valores normales de la misma, en flexibilidad disminuyeron los ojos con valores de normalidad y aumentaron las alteraciones en los niveles altos y leves. La mayoría de los pacientestuvo valores de alteración de las reservas fusionalespositivas en visión lejana entre altos y moderados. Conclusiones: clínicamente, la valoración ortóptica es necesaria en todos los pacientes que son sometidosa cirugía refractiva; aunque no se observan diferenciassignificativas entre las alteraciones motoras y acomodativas, clínicamente se observó aumento de la descompensación en la magnitud de las variablesmedidas y mayor sintomatología.

Objective: To establish the importance of valuation orthoptics and visual training before or after of the corneal refractive laser surgery, Lasik.Results: In assessing pre-and post-surgical 6 patients (13.63 percent) showed no eye motor alteration and 37 (84.09 percent) reported some kind of anomaly accommodatesor motor, of whom 11 patients (29.72 percent) had abnormalitiescombined, 16 (43.24 percent) accommodative and 10 (37.03 percent) motor. In the pre-and post-operative frequencies Hirshberg had identical behavior. In the amplitude and flexibility of accommodation don’t found statistically significant differences (p> 0.05), before and after Lasik, albeit from a clinical point of view was evident increase in the alterations of high and moderate amplitude of accommodation after the refractive surgery, as is evidenced by the decrease normal values of the same, decreased flexibility in the eyes with normal values and increased disturbancesat the higher levels and mild. Most patients had values altering of the fusional reserves positive for vision near and far between High Moderate. In the values of stereopsis, the ranges of normality were stable and high and moderate alterations were correlatedwith patients with strabismic or preexisting ocular abnormalities. The next point of convergence,the cover test and the status of Correspondence Sensory did not change. 100 percent of the patients who performed visual training reported improvement in their values as in clinical symptoms.Conclusions: Clinically Orthoptics the valuation is required in all patients who undergo refractive surgery,although no significant differences between the motor impairment and accommodating, clinicallyobserved increase in the decompensation in the magnitude of the variables measured and increased symptoms.

The Correlation between Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis and Motor Impairment of Hemiplegic Upper Extremity in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and to study the relationship between CCD and the severity and prognosis of stroke. METHOD: 28 patients with first-ever unilateral stroke were recruited for this study. The central motor conduction times (CMCTs) were obtained from Abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and Abductor hallucis (AH) by recording MEPs. The existence of CCD was evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of brain. The National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), Motricity Index (MI), and functional outcome scales were measured. RESULTS: The presence of CCD correlated significantly with "not evoked" MEPs in upper extremity (p 0.05) and volume of brain lesion (p> 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the presence of CCD and lower MI score of upper extremity (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of CCD would indicate the damage on descending motor pathways and be associated with the severe motor impairment of upper extremity in stroke patients.

Analysis of Corticospinal Tract Injury by Using the Diffusion Tensor Imaging of 3.0 T Magnetic Resonance in Patients with Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify correlations between diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) and motor improvement by quantifying and visualizing the corticospinal tract on DTI to predict motor impairment in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH). METHODS: Fifteen normal subjects and 7 patients with hypertensive ICH were examined and the latter were treated surgically. DTI was performed with a 3.0 T MRI. The region of interest(ROI) from the posterior limbs of both internal capsules was measured on a fractional anisotropy(FA) map, and the ratios of ROIs were calculated. Tractography, 3-dimensional DTI was then constructed. Motor impairment was assessed on admission and 2weeks after stroke by the Motricity Index(MI). The FA ratio, tractography and score on MI were analyzed for correlations. RESULTS: The FA ratio from the initial DTI did not show a linear correlation with motor impairment. However, after 2weeks, patients with high FA ratios showed high degrees of motor recovery, regardless of the initial severity, and patients with low FA ratios showed low recovery rates. Otherwise, a relationship between the amount of hematoma and the degree of motor recovery could not be determined. On tractography, injury of the corticospinal tract could be visualized and estimated 3-dimensionally. CONCLUSION: FA ratio analysis and tractography constructed from DTI may be useful in understanding corticospinal tract injury and in predicting the recovery from motor impairment in patients.

The Correlation of Motor Impairment and Fractional Anisotropy in Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Post-stroke Hemiplegic Patients

OBJECTIVE: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fully characterizes water molecule mobility, allowing an exploration of fiber tract integrity and orientation in the human brain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between motor impairment and the changes of fractional anisotropy (FA) in the internal capsule in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. METHOD: Six normal subjects and 19 post-stroke hemiplegic patients who had a lesion in the internal capsule were included in this study. DTI was performed with a 3.0 Tesla MR at the mean interval of 28.2 days after stroke. Motor impairment was assessed with the Motricity Index and Trunk Control Test at the time of the imaging study. FA was measured in anterior limb and posterior limb of internal capsule. RESULTS: FA reduced significantly in the affected region compared with the other unaffected region in patients and normal region in controls. FA in the affected posterior limb of the internal capsule was correlated with the Motricity Index score of the affected upper limb (r=0.642, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DTI can be helpful to evaluate motor impairment of the upper limb in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.