Diffusion tensor imaging and neuropsychologic assessment in aphasic stroke

Abstract

With the recent advances in neuroimaging it has become possible to characterize the cerebral reorganization that occurs in response to therapy and the conditions under which this reorganization occurs. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a neuroimaging technique that allows us to visualize white matter tracts and potential changes associated with different treatments. To date, only few data on structural neuroplasticity related to the recovery of poststroke aphasia were reported. We describe a case of aphasic stroke patient, who was studied before and after the intense rehabilitative treatment by using neuropsychologic evaluation and DTI examination, to assess the integrity of the arcuate fasciculus related to motor, language, and cognitive recovery.

Keywords: Aphasia; diffusion tensor imaging; neuropsychological evaluation; rehabilitation; stroke.