Naslov
Functional reorganization oF the primary motor cortex in a patient with a large arteriovenous malFormation involving the precentral gyrus

Autori
Radoš, Milan ; Nikić, Ines ; Kostović, Ivica ; Hof, Patrick R. ; Šimić, Goran

Izvornik
Translational Neuroscience (2081-3856) 4 (2013), 2; 269-272

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
arteriovenous malformation ; neuroplasticity ; fMRI ; ipsilateral corticospinal tract

Sažetak
It is known that the brain can compensate for deficits induced by acquired and developmental lesions through functional reorganization of the remaining parenchyma. Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) usually appear prenatally before a functional regional organization of the brain is fully established and patients generally do not present with motor deficits even when the AVM is located in the primary motor area indicating the redistribution of functions in cortical areas that are not pathologically altered. Here we present reorganization of the motor cortex in a patient with a large AVM involving most of the left parietal lobe and the paramedian part of the left precentral gyrus that is responsible for controlling the muscles of the lower limbs. Functional MRI showed that movements of both the right and left feet activated only the primary motor cortex in the right hemisphere, while there was no activation in the left motor cortex. This suggests that complete ipsilateral control over the movements of the right foot had been established in this patient. A reconstruction of the corticospinal tract using diffusion tensor imaging showed a near-complete absence of corticospinal fibers from the part of the left precentral gyrus affected by the AVM. From this clinical presentation it can be concluded that full compensation of motor deficits had occurred by redistributing function to the corresponding motor area of the contralateral hemisphere.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti, Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Psihologija

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