Sensorimotor rhythm modulation depends on resting-state oscillations and cortex integrity in severely paralyzed stroke patients

Alpha oscillatory activity and its dynamics have a key role in motor and sensory functions. Stroke affects different brain structures, which can result in pathological changes in alpha oscillations. We studied the relationship between the amplitude of alpha oscillations in resting state and their modulation during the attempt of movement in 37 patients with severe paralysis after stroke. As previously observed in healthy subjects, resting-state alpha activity significantly correlated with the alpha event-related desynchronization (ERD) during the attempt of movement of the paralyzed hand. Further, alpha ERD correlated with the presence or absence of damage in cortical structures, but resting-state alpha power did not. This result provides new insights on the understanding of the brain changes after stroke, which may help in future therapies to help the patients to recover their lost motor function.