Brain plasticity after rehabilitation in a severe case of artery of Percheron stroke assessed with multimodal MR imaging

Neurocase. 2022 Apr;28(2):194-198. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2022.2062249. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Abstract

Artery of Percheron (AOP) stroke is a rare event. We describe an AOP stroke involving both thalami and the midbrain, resulting in a multifunctional clinical impairment. Intensive inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation favored the recovery of motor deficits, together with the improvement of cognitive dysfunctions. MRI assessment in the chronic post-stroke phase showed structural and functional reorganization in response to the extended thalamic tissue damage and absence of revascularization. Thalamo-cortical networks involving frontal and prefrontal regions, as well as parietal areas were disrupted, whereas increased functional thalamo-occipital connectivity was found. This report sheds light on brain reorganization following AOP stroke after rehabilitation..

Keywords: Artery of percheron; MRI; fMRI; neurorehabilitation; stroke.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arteries
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*
  • Stroke* / complications
  • Stroke* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thalamus / blood supply
  • Thalamus / diagnostic imaging