Objective

Activity patterns across brain regions that can be characterized at rest (ie, resting-state functional connectivity [rsFC]) are disrupted after stroke and linked to impairments in motor function. While changes in rsFC are associated with motor recovery, it is not clear how rsFC is modulated by skilled motor practice used to promote recovery. The current study examined how rsFC is modulated by skilled motor practice after stroke and how changes in rsFC are linked to motor learning.

Methods

Two groups of participants (individuals with stroke and age-matched controls) engaged in 4 weeks of skilled motor practice of a complex, gamified reaching task. Clinical assessments of motor function and impairment, and brain activity (via functional magnetic resonance imaging) were obtained before and after training.

Results

While no differences in rsFC were observed in the control group, increased connectivity was observed in the sensorimotor network, linked to learning in the stroke group. Relative to healthy controls, a decrease in network efficiency was observed in the stroke group following training.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that rsFC patterns related to learning observed after stroke reflect a shift toward a compensatory network configuration characterized by decreased network efficiency.

中文翻译：

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中风后个体的运动学习调节静息状态连接性

客观的

可以在休息时表征的跨大脑区域的活动模式（即，休息状态功能连接 [rsFC]）在中风后被破坏，并与运动功能障碍有关。虽然 rsFC 的变化与运动恢复有关，但尚不清楚 rsFC 如何通过用于促进恢复的熟练运动实践进行调节。目前的研究检查了 rsFC 如何在中风后通过熟练的运动练习进行调节，以及 rsFC 的变化如何与运动学习相关联。

方法

两组参与者（患有中风和年龄匹配的对照者）进行了为期 4 周的复杂、游戏化接触任务的熟练运动练习。在训练前后获得运动功能和损伤以及大脑活动（通过功能性磁共振成像）的临床评估。

结果

虽然在对照组中没有观察到 rsFC 的差异，但在感觉运动网络中观察到连接性增加，这与中风组的学习有关。相对于健康对照组，在训练后中风组中观察到网络效率下降。

结论

研究结果表明，与中风后观察到的学习相关的 rsFC 模式反映了向以网络效率降低为特征的补偿性网络配置的转变。