Neuroimaging Advances in Stroke Rehabilitation

Abstract

Stroke induces acute deficits of motion, sensation, cognition, emotion, and communication that may occur in isolation or in various combinations depending on the location and size of the infarct lesion.Stroke lesions develop dynamically from the initial lesion corresponding to the area of restricted water diffusion (cytotoxic edema), which enlarges in most cases into the perilesional hypoperfused region to its final infarct lesion. The neurological deficits typically improve in many patients substantially in the first few weeks after ischemic stroke. The rate of recovery subsides after the subacute and early chronic phase, but meaningful functional gains are still possible years after a stroke. 1Rehabilitation is a major factor contributing to post-stroke recovery.Notably, patients above 65 years of age can benefit from intensive rehabilitation, 2,3 but younger patients typically improve more in areas of mobility, balance, walking, and grip strength.