Structural Brain Biomarkers of Balance Function and Whole-Body Motion Perception in Individuals with Stroke Restricted; Files Only
LaFollette, Clara (Spring 2024)
Published
Abstract
Deficits after stroke and stroke recovery are heterogeneous, and may be explained by structural brain biomarkers. Biomarkers provide a way to identify damaged brain areas, and target rehabilitation strategies. Despite heterogeneous symptoms, sensorimotor deficits are common after stroke, but somatosensory deficits alone are not well understood. Most somatosensory assessments are not representative of whole-body perception and balance challenges individuals with stroke will face daily. The purpose of this study was to characterize two structural brain biomarkers, cortical thickness and white matter integrity. We aimed to 1) characterize cortical thickness within and between individuals with stroke, and test associations with whole-body motion perception and balance function, and 2) characterize white matter integrity within and between individuals with stroke, and test associations with whole-body motion perception and balance function. We recruited thirty-seven participants with ischemic chronic (>6 mo.) from the greater Atlanta area. All participants underwent the miniBEST examination (n=37) and select participants performed whole-body motion perception (WBMP) testing (n=15). Participants each received a T1-weighted MRI scan (n=37), and a diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) (n=19). We compared the ipsilesional hemisphere and select region of interests’ cortical thickness to miniBEST and WBMP threshold scores. From the DWI scans, we compared ipsilesional whole hemisphere tracts, and select tracts to miniBEST and WBMP threshold scores.
Compared to healthy controls, individuals with stroke had overall thinner cortices. Between individuals with stroke, we found associations between decreased balance abilities and decreased thickness in the mean hemisphere, M1, and supramarginal gyrus. Analysis between cortical thickness and WBMP found associations with increased thickness in M1, frontal superior gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus and decreased whole-body motion perception thresholds. Individuals with stroke only had decreased white matter integrity between hemispheres in one tract, the corticospinal tract. Between individuals, we did not find any associations with balance ability or whole-body motion perception and white matter integrity. Our results suggest cortical thickness is related to whole-body balance and perception abilities after stroke. These findings may be used to predict deficits people may have post-stroke, and help provided early individualized care for personalized rehabilitative strategies.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Hypothesis 6
Methods 6
Participants 7
Protocol 7
Analysis 10
Results 16
Quality Assessment 16
Cortical Thickness 17
White Matter 20
Discussion 22
Cortical Thickness 22
White Matter 31
Limitations 35
Future Directions 35
Conclusion 36
References 37
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File download under embargo until 24 May 2026 | 2024-04-02 17:30:53 -0400 | File download under embargo until 24 May 2026 |
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