The surround inhibition determines therapy-induced cortical reorganisation after stroke

In stroke patients, physiotherapy improves motor function and enlarges the cortical representation of paretic hand muscles. However, the mechanism of cortical reorganisation remained unclear. Animal experiments have suggested that representations enlarge by a loss of GABAergic inhibition at the border of the representation area. We studied 8 chronic stroke patients (2 women; mean age: 59 ys). The patients participated in a modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) which took place in their domestic environment and included immobilization of the healthy arm and engagement of relatives as co-therapists.…