Brain Markers Predicting Reading Recovery After Stroke

For millions of stroke survivors acquired reading deficits represent a significant handicap preventing them from returning to work or continuing their education. The goal of the proposed research is to investigate what brain mechanisms enable recovery of impaired reading. To achieve this goal, the project will directly measure changes in brain perfusion (blood flow) and activation among recovering stroke survivors using a neuroimaging technique called perfusion fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The project will test if re-perfusion (return of circulation) and re-appearance of reading-related brain activity in the left-brain network for reading is associated with recovery. The ability to predict recovery from neuroimaging has tremendous value in rehabilitation for generating prognoses. It may also dramatically improve the quality of research evaluation for novel, targeted interventions such as noninvasive brain stimulation or pharmacologic therapies.