Changes of clinical functions after neurorehabilitation and aerobic training correlate with changes of the brain activity pattern as a reaction to complex motor stimulation in multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis 2008-09, Vol.14, p.S149-S149
• Main Authors: Rasova, K, Tintera, J, Zimova, D, Herbenova, A, Kalistova, H, Sobotkova, L, Brandejsky, P, Jech, R, Rasova, M, Zeman, J, Zemanova, P, Smitkova, O, Ibrahim, I, Martinkova, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1352-4585

Background: This research looks for links between brain activity changes caused by rehabilitation and the changes that indirectly characterize brain adaptation processes. Objective: The aim of this work was to find whether there are correlations between the changes in clinical functions and changes of the brain activity pattern as a reaction to complex motor stimulation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: 12 patients with MS (EDSS from 3.0 to 4.5) and 12 healthy controls were examined twice (clinical functions and event related fMRI on complex motor stimulation - active movement by the right hand immediately followed by the left hand and vice versa) in two months. In this time 6 patients underwent neurorehabilitation and 6 aerobic training. Changes of the proportion of the number of activated voxels at a given statistical level in the primary motor cortex for each hand as 'tandem' (the second one during complex motor stimulation) to the 'navigator' hand (the first one) were correlated with changes in clinical functions. Results: After neurorehabilitation the change of the proportion of activated voxels for the right hand as 'navigator' to 'tandem' show high correlation with the improvement of speed of walking (Timed 25 - Foot Walk, -0.91), spasticity on lower extremities (Modified Ashworth Scale, -0.92) and tremor on upper extremities (0.85). The proportion for the left hand as 'navigator' to 'tandem' correlates with the change of weakness of upper extremities (Motoric Index, 0.84). After aerobic training changes of the proportion of activated voxels for the right hand as 'navigator' to 'tandem' show high correlation with the improvement of cognitive functions (PASAT 3, -0.88). Changes of the proportion for left hand correlate with changes of spasticity of upper extremities (0,88). Conclusions: Both therapeutic programs show the correlations between changes in clinical functions and changes in the brain activity pattern.