Cortical stroke processing after acute and brainstem stroke

Introduction: Ischemic stroke can lead to severe and long lasting dysphagia, which is a major complication in stroke patients causing aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and increased mortality. Material and Methods: In an MEG study 35 patients in the acute phase after ischemic stroke were examined using a self triggered swallowing paradigm. Patients were classified in 6 different groups according to the criteria stroke location (right hemispheric, left hemispheric, brainstem) and the presence or absence of dysphagia. Seven age matched healthy subjects severed as controls. Results/Conclusion: Our results demonstr…