spinothalamic tract neuroanatomy made ridiculously simple

These novel insights contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of UL function and may be useful to delineate individualized treatment strategies. Sensory function was predicted by the combination of a large and later lesion and an ipsilateral or bilateral CST wiring, which led to increased sensory deficits ( ). However, multiple regression analyses showed that motor function was predicted by the CST wiring (more preserved in individuals with contralateral CST ( )), lesion extent, and damage to the basal ganglia and thalamus. Motor and sensory functions were influenced by each of the investigated neurological factors. A combination of lesion locations (damage to the PLIC and frontal lobe) significantly contributed to differentiate between the CST wiring groups, reclassifying the participants in their original group with 57% of accuracy. A standardized protocol included UL motor (grip strength, unimanual capacity, and bimanual performance) and sensory measures. Lesion location and extent were evaluated with a semiquantitative scale.

Fifty-two participants with uCP (mean age (SD): 11 y and 3 m (3 y and 10 m)) underwent a single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation session to determine CST wiring between the motor cortex and the more affected hand ( contralateral, ipsilateral, and bilateral) and an MRI to determine lesion timing ( periventricular (PV) lesion, corticosubcortical (CSC) lesion), location, and extent. Here, we first investigated whether structural brain lesion characteristics could predict the underlying CST wiring and we explored the role of CST wiring and brain lesion characteristics to predict UL motor and sensory functions in uCP. Brain lesion characteristics (timing, location, and extent) and the type of corticospinal tract (CST) wiring have been proposed as determinants of upper limb (UL) motor function in unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP), yet an investigation of the relative combined impact of these factors on both motor and sensory functions is still lacking.

Spinothalamic tract neuroanatomy made ridiculously simple