Short-term and long-term predictors of balance function in stroke patients: a 6-month follow-up study.

We aimed to determine early predictors of balance function (Berg Balance Scale, BBS) at 3 and 6 months after stroke using clinical, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging variables. Seventy-nine patients with hemiparesis after a stroke were included. Demographics, stroke characteristics, and clinical variables [Mini-Mental State Examination, BBS, strength in the hemiparetic hip, knee, and ankle muscles, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment Lower Extremity (FMA-LE)] were evaluated 2 weeks post-stroke, on average.

The Relationship Between Visuoconstructive Abilities and Language Performance in Patients With Aphasia After Stroke.

This study aimed to investigate the visuoconstructive abilities and the relationship between visuoconstructive function and language performance in aphasic patients. Right-handed 24 aphasic patients (males 14, females 10) with at least 3 months post-stroke and 32 age-matched healthy controls participated in this study. Visuoconstructive function was assessed by 3 levels of task difficulty: simple (drawing objects), intermediate (clock drawing), and complex (copy subtest of Rey complex figure test and block construction).

Structural Changes in the Arcuate Fasciculus and Recovery of Post-stroke Aphasia: A 6-Month Follow-up Study using Diffusion Tensor Imaging.

Background: Temporal changes in the structural connectivity of major language tracts after stroke and their contribution to aphasia recovery are unclear.

Objective: To investigate longitudinal arcuate fasciculus (AF) integrity changes and their relationship with post-stroke aphasia recovery using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods: Thirty-five patients with aphasia due to first-ever left hemispheric stroke underwent the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery and DTI at 1- and 6-month post stroke onset.

Clinical Factors Associated With Balance Function in the Early Subacute Phase After Stroke.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the key factors of balance function in the early subacute phase after stroke.

Design: Ninety-four stroke patients were included. Multiple variables were evaluated, including demographic factors, clinical variables (stroke type; lesion site; Mini-Mental State Examination; motor strength of the hip, knee, and ankle joints; Fugl-Meyer Assessment of lower extremity), neurophysiological variables (amplitude ratio of somatosensory evoked potential of the tibial nerves), and laterality index of fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract using diffusion tensor imaging.

Development of a categorical naming test in Korean: Standardization and clinical application for patients with stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and standardize a new categorical naming test, titled the Categorical Naming Test (CNT), for stroke patients, and to investigate its validity and clinical usefulness for patients with stroke.

Materials And Methods: The CNT was developed based on semantic category, imageability, and psycholinguistic factors such as word frequency and word length. The test materials included two main semantic categories (living objects and artificial objects) comprising 60 items.

Reliability and Validity of the Comprehensive Limb and Oral Apraxia Test: Standardization and Clinical Application in Korean Patients With Stroke.

Objective: To develop and standardize the Limb and Oral Apraxia Test (LOAT) for Korean patients and investigate its reliability, validity, and clinical usefulness for patients with stroke.

Methods: We developed the LOAT according to a cognitive neuropsychological model of limb and oral praxis. The test included meaningless, intransitive, transitive, and oral praxis composed of 72 items (56 items on limb praxis and 16 items on oral praxis; maximum score 216).

Increased Brainstem Serotonergic Transporter Availability in Adult Migraineurs: an [(18)F]FP-CIT PET Imaging Pilot Study.

Purpose: Recent studies have proposed central serotonergic dysfunction as a major pathophysiology of migraine. We investigated serotonin transporter (SERT) availability in migraineurs using F-18-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane ([(18)F]FP-CIT) positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods: Brain [(18)F]FP-CIT PET images were obtained in eight women with migraine during headache free phase and 12 healthy adult women, 120 min after injection of 185 MBq.

Differential Diagnosis of Patients with Inconclusive Parkinsonian Features Using [(18)F]FP-CIT PET/CT.

Purpose: It is often difficult to differentiate parkinsonism, especially when patients show uncertain parkinsonian features. We investigated the usefulness of dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging for the differential diagnosis of inconclusive parkinsonism using [(18)F]FP-CIT PET.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with inconclusive parkinsonian features at initial clinical evaluation and nine healthy controls were studied.

Lateralization of cognitive functions in aphasia after right brain damage.

Purpose: The lateralization of cognitive functions in crossed aphasia in dextrals (CAD) has been explored and compared mainly with cases of aphasia with left hemisphere damage. However, comparing the neuropsychological aspects of CAD and aphasia after right brain damage in left-handers (ARL) could potentially provide more insights into the effect of a shift in the laterality of handedness or language on other cognitive organization. Thus, this case study compared two cases of CAD and one case of ARL.