脑血管病患者BIT检查项目间相关性研究

目的通过对脑血管病患者进行BIT检查 ,了解BIT检查中通常检查和行动检查间的相关性。方法对 2 2例脑血管病患者进行BIT检查 ,分析BIT各个项目间的相关性 ,以及共同因子。结果通常检查和行动检查各合计得分在正常界限分以上或以下的患者右半球损伤的 16例中有 14例 ,左半球损伤的患者 6例中有 5例 ,少数病例有分离现象 .对BIT检查中 15个项目两变数间的相关系数进行比较 ,结果有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但因子分析因病例数少 ,抽出的主因子不显著。结论脑血管病患者BIT检查各个项目间的相关性很强 ,在临床上有实际应用价值。     

脑血管病患者失认症的神经心理学研究

为了解脑血管病患者失认症的类型与半球侧向性,对35例经影像学证实为单一病灶的脑血管病患者进行了汉语失语症检查法及自行设计的失认症检查法测试。结果显示：左半球组出现了物体、图画、色彩的失认,失认性失算,听失认,触觉失认,忽视,地理失定向,身体失认和病觉缺失;右半球组出现了色失认,忽视,地理失定向和病觉缺失。结论：大多数右利手患者的视觉、听觉、触觉、身体认知的优势半球位于左侧大脑半球;右半球可以产生色失认;忽视、病觉缺失在任何半球病变均可产生,右半球的机率高于左半球     

脑卒中患者病变部位与汉密顿抑郁量表评分的关系

目的：探讨脑卒中患者病变部位与汉密顿抑郁量表评分的关系。方法：选择2002-l0／2004-10在商丘市第-人民医院住院治疗的163例脑卒中患者发病后1个月接受汉密顿抑郁量表评估，并同时用计算机对其发病后头颅CT图象进行标准化处理，汉密顿抑郁量表评分与CT图象标准化后病变位置进行比较。结果：按意向处理分析，163例脑卒中患者中发病1个月后检出卒中后抑郁患者67例(41．1％)，其中轻度抑郁35例(52．2％)中度抑郁22例(32．8％)，重度抑郁l0例(14．9％)。①不同半球病灶患者汉密顿抑郁量表评分比较：左半球病灶患者的焦虑躯体化、认知障碍、迟缓、绝望感等分项评分和汉密顿抑郁量表总分均明显低于右半球病灶患者(左半球病灶：4．2&;#177;2．1，1．7&;#177;0．3，5．6&;#177;1．9，3．4&;#177;0．9，24．2&;#177;5．7；右半球病灶：2．5&;#177;1．0，0．8&;#177;0．2，3．8&;#177;1．1，1．7&;#177;0．3，18．6&;#177;4．1，t=2．29l～3．152；P均&;lt;0．05～0．01)。②不同位置病灶患者的汉密顿抑郁量表评分比较：前部病灶(病变部位在CT片前后轴前40％)组患者的焦虑躯体化、昼夜变化等分项评分和汉密顿抑郁量表总分明显高于后部病灶(病变部位在CT片前后轴后60％)患者(t=2．197～3．302；P均&;lt;0．05～0．01)。③皮质和皮质下病灶的脑卒中患者汉密顿抑郁量表各分项评分和汉密顿抑郁量表总分分布接近(P均&;gt;0．05)：结论：脑卒中患者经常伴有抑郁情绪改变，CT图象中左侧和前部卒中病灶与脑血管病患者的抑郁状态表现关系密切。     

脑卒中后抑郁的相关因素及西酞普兰治疗作用研究

目的：探讨脑卒中后抑郁(post-stroke depression,PSD)的相关因素及治疗。方法：对68例PSD患者进行颅脑CT或MRI病灶定位，随机分为西酞普兰治疗组和对照组，治疗并随访6周。两组分别于治疗前和治疗后的1，2，6周末进行汉密顿抑郁量表(HAMD)和抑郁自评量表(SDS)评定，同时进行西酞普兰不良反应观察。结果：左半球病灶PSD的发生率68％(46／68)高于右半球病灶32％(22／68)，半球前部病灶PSD的发生率56％(38／68)高于半球后部病灶44％(30／68)。西酞普兰于治疗的第1周起效，治疗6周后显效率为79％(27／34)，有效率为91％(31／34)，不良反应少而且轻微。结论：PSD的发生与病灶部位有关；西酞普兰治疗PSD安全有效。     

脑卒中后汉语语法缺失与脑损害区域的关系

背景：约1／3的脑损害患者存在不同程度的语占功能受损或丧失，其中大部分存在不同程度的语法缺失。目前，关于汉语语法加工究竟由左半球或右半球还是两半球共同参与完成的尚不清楚。目的：探讨脑卒中后汉语语法缺失与脑损害区域的关系，为脑卒中后汉语语法缺失患者的语言康复提供理论依据。设计：病例-对照分析。对象：收集2001—10／2002—08武汉大学附属人民医院住院的脑卒中患者60例，所有患者均首次发病，经颅脑CT检查证实为左或右半球单发病灶：根据病灶所在侧分为左半球脑卒中组和右半球脑卒中组各30例。正常对照组为30名既往无脑器质性疾病史和神经系统症状、体征的健康志愿者。方法：先用标准汉语失语检查法检查语言，初步确定有无语法障碍；然后应用汉语语法量表（包括词类、语序、语用、句子-图画匹配、语言符号操作等）对3组被试者进行测试，利用统计学结果分析汉语语法缺失与CT所示脑损害区域的关系及意义。应用计算机图像处理技术对20例汉语语法缺失患者的颅脑CT图像进行标准化处理，观察病变的集中趋势。主要观察指标：①汉语语法量表评估结果。②CT图像标准化处理结果。结果：按意向处理分析，90名被试者全部进入结果分析。①汉语语法量表评估结果：左半球脑卒中组患者的词类、语序、语用、句图匹配和语言符号操作评分显著低于右半球卒中组和正常对照组（P〈0．01），右半球脑卒中组仅句-图匹配项低于正常对照组（79．73&;#177;13．67，1．76&;#177;7．78，P〈O．01），其他项目差异无显著性意义（P〉0．05）。②CT图像标准化处理后，病变部位主要集中在左额叶和左颞叶。结论：左额-颞叶神经网络系统损伤与汉语语法缺失密切相关，右额-颞叶神经网络系统参与句法辅助加工，完整的汉语语法认知需要大脑两半球的协同活动。     

脑血管病患者视觉记忆障碍的研究

脑血管病是老年人常见病 ,我国每年新发病患者约 1 50万 ,其中约 73 .1 %的患者有不同程度的残疾[1 ] 。高级神经功能障碍 ,如痴呆、失语及记忆障碍占很大比例。 80年代便修订了一些国际知名的测验 ,如Ｗｅｃｈｓｌｅｒ智力量表、记忆量表 ,并编制了汉语失语症检查法[2 ] ,而对视觉记忆的研究较少。本研究用Ｒｅｙ图对 2 1例脑血管患者进行测试 ,了解其视觉记忆障碍的特点 ,为康复治疗提供参考。对象和方法一、对象共收集脑血管病患者 2 1例 ,均为男性 ,年龄 59～ 84岁 ;经头颅ＣＴ或ＭＲ确诊为脑梗死 ,左半球损伤者 9例 ,右半球损伤者 1 1…     

电视胸腔镜对肺结节样病变的诊断价值

目的：讨论电视胸腔镜在肺结节样病变中的诊断作用。方法：诊断不明的单侧肺结节样病变的患者22例，肿物部位探寻明确后，电视胸腔镜下行肺楔形切除术，术中送冰冻快速病理。结果：肺癌5例(占22．7％)、转移瘤3例(占13．6％)、肺结核瘤5例(占22．7％)、炎性假瘤3例(占13．6％)、炎性肿块3例(占13．6％)、肺包虫病2例(占9．2％)、肺结节病1例(占4．6％)、经VATS单纯肺楔形切除术16例，中转开胸6例。后者中5例为腺癌，行肺叶切除加淋巴结清扫；1例为炎性肿块，直径仅1．0cm。结论：VATS给胸外科医生提供了一个新的诊治手段，对患者生理干扰小，确诊率高，易被患者所接受。     

单侧半球损害的某些临床表现

本文对18例右利单侧半球损害患者进行神经心理学测查,发现右半球损害部分患者有左侧忽视、运动不持久和体象障碍。而左半球损害者则无上述临床表现。临床资料18例单侧半球损害的住院患者,均右利,无失语症、失用症和同向偏盲。年龄34～73岁;男14例,女4例。右半球中风13例和丘脑肿瘤1例;左半球中风4例。均为首次中风(包括脑出血和脑梗     

老年脑血管病患者跌倒的相关因素分析

目的研究老年脑血管病患者跌倒的相关因素,从而有效的预防跌倒的发生。方法对12个月内有跌倒史的老年脑血管病患者102例进行调查。结果男性患者跌倒发生率为42．16％,女性患者为6．86％;独居患者跌倒发生率为37．25％,同住患者为16．67％;平衡能力正常的患者跌倒发生率为22．55％,异常患者为38．24％,差异均有统计学意义（χ2分别为4．95,8．45,5．13;P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;不同年龄、是否服药、不同夜尿情况、视力、智力及伴有不同慢性病患者跌倒发生率比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）。结论老年脑血管病患者跌倒是多种因素共同作用的结果,护理重在预防,正确评估老年脑血管病患者的身体状况,制定有效的预防措施,从而减少跌倒的发生。     

脑卒中后抑郁相关因素研究

目的　探讨几种相关因素对脑卒中后抑郁发生的影响。方法　对 195例脑卒中偏瘫患者 ,分别以不同家庭背景、脑损害部位及日常生活活动能力 (ADL)积分情况分组 ,观察其卒中后抑郁发生率。结果　丧偶、离婚或单身独居组 4 7例 ,夫妻同居组 14 8例 ,其卒中后抑郁发生率分别为 6 0 .87% (2 8/ 4 7)及 4 0 .2 7% (6 0 / 14 8) ,两者间差异有统计学意义 (χ2 =5 .2 19,P <0 .0 5 ) ;病变在左半球者 92例 ,右半球者 6 6例 ,双侧半球者 37例 ,其抑郁发生率分别为5 8.70 % (5 4 / 92 ) ,37.88% (2 5 / 6 6 )及 2 4 .32 % (9/ 37) ,病变在左半球者抑郁发生率显著高于右半球及双侧半球者 ,差异有统计学意义 (χ2 =6 .6 6 1、12 .4 77,P <0 .0 1) ;ADL积分 >6 0分者 79例 ,≤ 4 0分者 72例 ,其抑郁发生率分别为2 9.11% (2 3/ 71)及 6 2 .5 0 % (4 5 / 72 ) ,两者间差异有统计学意义 (χ2 =16 .96 2 ,P <0 .0 1)。结论　不同家庭背景、脑损害部位及ADL积分均明显影响脑卒中后抑郁发生     

Functional MR imaging in assessment of language dominance in epileptic patients

The value of functional MR Imaging (fMRI) in assessing language lateralization in epileptic patients candidate for surgical treatment is increasingly recognized. However few data are available for left-handed patients. Moreover determining factors for atypical dominance in patients investigated with contemporary imaging have not been reported. We studied 20 patients (14 males, 6 females; 9 right handed, 11 left handed) aged from 9 to 48 years, investigated for intractable partial epilepsy. Epileptic focus location was temporal in 14 cases, extratemporal in 6, and lateralized in the left hemisphere in 11/20. Hemispheric dominance for language was evaluated by both Wada test and fMRI using a silent word generation paradigm in all patients. Furthermore, a postictal speech test was performed in 15 patients. An fMRI language lateralization index was calculated from the number of activated pixels (Student's t test, P < 0.0001) in the right and left hemispheres. The Wada test showed a right hemispheric dominance in 8 patients (6 were left handed and 2 right handed) and a left hemispheric dominance in 12 patients (5 were left handed and 7 right handed). These results were concordant with clinical postictal examination in 11/15 patients (73%). Clinical status did not allow a conclusion about hemispheric dominance for the remaining 4 patients. FMRI was concordant with the Wada test in 19/20 cases. For one left-handed patient, fMRI showed bilateral activation, whereas the Wada test demonstrated a right hemispheric dominance. Right language lateralization was significantly correlated with left lateralized epilepsy (P < 0.05) but was not correlated with age at epilepsy onset, early brain injury (before 6 years), and lobar localization of epileptogenic focus. However the lack of a significant relationship between these factors and atypical language lateralization may be related to the small sample size.     

Spatial attention to thermal pain stimuli in subjects with visual spatial hemi-neglect: extinction, mislocalization and misidentification of stimulus modality

One approach to the study of disordered spatial attention is to carry out tests of extinction, in which stimuli are detected on the left when they are presented on the left alone, but not when both sides are stimulated simultaneously in a dual simultaneous stimulation (DSS) protocol. Extinction has been documented for multiple sensory modalities, but not for thermal pain stimuli, to our knowledge. We now test the hypothesis that subjects with visual spatial neglect (hemi-neglect) will have alterations in thermal pain sensation which are related to abnormal spatial attention. The results demonstrate that thermal pain extinction of hot and cold pain stimuli occurs in a proportion of subjects with hemi-neglect. In the subjects with visual spatial hemi-neglect but without thermal pain extinction, the sensation of the thermal pain stimulus on the affected (left) side was not extinguished but was often localized to the unaffected (right) side, and the submodality of the stimulus (cold or hot) was often misidentified. Ratios indicating the magnitude of extinction, mislocalization and misidentification were significantly larger on the left side of subjects with visual spatial neglect than in healthy controls or in controls with stroke but without hemineglect. The proportion of subjects with thermal pain extinction, mislocalization, or misidentification was significantly higher in subjects with hemi-neglect than those in either control group. These results demonstrate that disordered attention exerts a powerful effect upon the perception of both the location and the quality of thermal pain stimuli.     

The Mental Number Line and the Human Angular Gyrus

To investigate the hemispheric organization of a language-independent spatial representation of number magnitude in the human brain we applied focal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the right or left angular gyrus while subjects performed a number comparison task with numbers between 31 and 99. Repetitive TMS over the angular gyrus disrupted performance of a visuospatial search task, and rTMS at the same site disrupted organization of the putative "number line." In some cases the pattern of disruption caused by angular gyrus rTMS suggested that this area normally mediates a spatial representation of number. The effect of angular gyrus rTMS on the number line task was specific. rTMS had no disruptive effect when delivered over another parietal region, the supramarginal gyrus, in either the left or the right hemisphere.     

Whole-head MEG analysis of cortical spatial organization from unilateral stimulation of median nerve in both hands: no complete hemispheric homology

We examined the contralateral hemispheric cortical activity in MEG (151 ch) after unilateral median nerve stimulation of the right and left hand in twenty healthy right-handed subjects. The goal was to establish parameters to describe cortical activity of the hemispheric responses and to study the potential ability to assess differences in volunteers and patients. We focused on the within-subject similarity and differences between evoked fields in both hands. Cortical activity was characterized by the overlay display of waveforms (CWP), number of peak stages, loci of focal maxima and minima in each stage, 3D topographic maps and exemplified equivalent current dipole characteristics. The paired-wise test was used to analyze the hemispheric differences. The waveform morphology was unique across the subjects, similar CWPs were noted in both hemispheres of the individual. The contralateral hemispheric responses showed a well defined temporal-spatial activation of six to seven stages in the 500 ms window. Consistently (in over 80% of subjects), the six stages across the subjects were 20M, 30M, 50M, 70M, 90M, and 150M. A 240M was present in the left hemisphere (LH) in 15/20 subjects and in the right hemisphere (RH) in 10/20. Statistics of the latencies and amplitudes of these seven stages were calculated. Our results indicated that the latency was highly consistent and exhibited no statistical mean difference for all stages. Furthermore, no mean amplitude differences between both hemispheres at each stage were found. The patterns of magnetic fields in both hemispheres were consistent in 70% of the subjects. A laterality index (L.I.) was used for defining the magnetic field amplitude differences between two hemispheres for each individual. Overall, the absolute amplitude of the brain responses was larger in the left than in the right hemisphere in the majority of subjects (16/20), yet a significant portion (4/20) exhibited right dominance of the N20m activity. Each individual exhibited a unique CWP, there was reliable consistency of peak latencies and mean amplitudes in median nerve MEG. Nevertheless, this study indicates the limitations of using the intact hemisphere responses to compare with those from the affected (brain) side and suggests caution in assuming full homology in the cortical organization of both hemispheres. This study provides some results to address clinical issues like which parameter describes individual differences best. Whether a genuine difference is found or whether any difference may simply represent the variability encountered in a normal population.     

Development of a behavioral test of visuospatial neglect

The Rivermead Behavioral Inattention Test (RBIT), consisting of nine items sampling activities of daily living, was administered to 28 patients after unilateral right (20) or left (8) cerebrovascular accidents, and to 14 non-brain-damaged controls. All patients were tested on two parallel forms of the RBIT with order of presentation balanced and on at least two of six conventional tests of visual neglect. Control subjects were tested on either form 1 or form 2 of the RBIT. Interrater reliability of scoring was tested on seven subjects chosen at random. Using control scores to determine the cutoff point between visual inattention and noninattention, 14 patients (50%) showed evidence of visuospatial neglect on the RBIT. Correlation between the two forms of the test was 0.83. The RBIT also correlated well with five of the conventional tests. Interrater reliability was 100%. The RBIT appears to be a valid and reliable test of visuospatial neglect and one which is likely to provide more information about everyday problems than existing measures of neglect.     

Hand dominance and side of stroke affect rehabilitation in chronic stroke

OBJECTIVE: To examine the difference between upper extremity deficits in subjects with left versus right hemispheric lesions at baseline and after bilateral arm training. DESIGN: A one-way ANOVA was used to detect group differences and a least square means analysis used to determine significance in pre-to-post scores for each group. SETTING: Testing was in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science Department Research Laboratory, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Training was at the Senior Exercise Rehabilitation Center in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Baltimore. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two (11 left hemispheric lesion, 11 right hemispheric lesion) right-handed subjects with chronic stroke. INTERVENTIONS: A six-week nonprogressive repetitive bilateral arm training with rhythmic auditory cueing (BATRAC). MAIN MEASURES: Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test, Wolf Motor Arm Test, University of Maryland Arm Questionnaire for Stroke (UMAQS), isometric strength and active and passive range of motion for both sides. RESULTS: No statistical differences were seen at baseline between groups in this sample. Both groups demonstrated improvement after BATRAC in Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Test (change scores of those with left lesions = 5.5; right lesions = 3.6) and UMAQS (change scores of those with left lesions = 5 and right lesions = 2.9). Additionally, patients with left hemispheric lesions but not right lesions made improvements in the Wolf Motor Arm Test (time and weight), in strength measures of paretic elbow flexion, shoulder extension, shoulder abduction and nonparetic wrist flexion, wrist extension and shoulder abduction. CONCLUSIONS: There were no baseline motor function differences between those with left and right hemispheric lesions in this sample. There was a clear training response advantage for patients with left hemispheric lesions after completing six weeks of bilateral arm training. As a result, treatment approaches for upper extremity hemiparesis may need to be more specifically selected based on side of stroke.     

Asymmetry in the human primary somatosensory cortex and handedness

Brain asymmetry is a phenomenon well known for handedness and language specialization and has also been studied in motor cortex. Less is known about hemispheric asymmetries in the somatosensory cortex. In the present study, we systematically investigated the representation of somatosensory function analyzing early subcortical and cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP) after electrical stimulation of the right and left median nerve. In 16 subjects, we compared thresholds, the peripheral neurogram at Erb point, and, using MRI-based EEG source analysis, the P14 brainstem component as well as N20 and P22, the earliest cortical responses from the primary sensorimotor cortex. Handedness was documented using the Edinburgh Inventory and a dichotic listening test was performed as a measure for language dominance. Whereas thresholds, Erb potential, and P14 were symmetrical, amplitudes of the cortical N20 showed significant hemispheric asymmetry. In the left hemisphere, the N20 amplitude was higher, its generator was located further medial, and it had a stronger dipole moment. There was no difference in dipole orientation. As a possible morphological correlate, the size of the left postcentral gyrus exceeded that of the right. The cortical P22 component showed a lower amplitude and a trend toward weaker dipole strength in the left hemisphere. Across subjects, there were no significant correlations between laterality indices of N20, the size of the postcentral gyrus, handedness, or ear advantage. These data show that asymmetry of median nerve SEP occurs at the cortical level, only. However, both functional and morphological cortical asymmetry of somatosensory representation appears to vary independently of motor and language functions.     

实时三维超声心动图评价心脏移植术后心室功能的变化

目的 应用实时三维超声心动图评价心脏移植排异组及无排异组的左右心室功能的变化.方法 对14例心脏移植排异患者、24例心脏移植无排异患者和51例正常者进行二维及实时三维超声心动图检查.结果 心脏移植排异组、无排异组右室每搏输出量(RVSV)及右室射血分数(RVEF)均小于正常对照组(P均<0.05),而右室舒张末期容积及收缩末期容积与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05);心脏移植无排异组与排异组间RVSV、RVEF、右室舒张末期容积及收缩末期容积比较差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05).心脏移植排异组17节段时间-容积曲线参数指标:16节段、12节段、6节段达到最小收缩容积时间的标准差以及标准差的校正值(Tmsv 16-SD,Tmsv 16-SD%,Tmsv 12-SD,Tmsv 12-SD%,Tmsv 6-SD,Tmsv 6-SD%)以及16节段、12节段、6节段达到最小收缩容积时间的最大差值以及最大差值的校正值(Tmsv 16-Dif,Tmsv 16-Dif%,Tmsv 12-Dif,Tmsv 12-Dif%,Tmsv 6-Dif,Tmsv 6-Dif%)均高于正常对照组(P均<0.05);心脏移植排异组与无排异组比较,除Tmsv 16-SD,Tmsv 16-SD%的指标差异无统计学意义外(P>0.05),其余17节段参数指标均高于无排异组(P均<0.05);而心脏移植无排异组17节段时间-容积曲线参数指标与正常对照组比较差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).位移平均值、标准差、最大值、最小值在心脏移植排异组、无排异组及正常对照组之间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05).结论 实时三维超声心动图能快速、准确地评价心脏移植术后排异组及无排异组的左右心室功能的变化.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate left and right ventricular function by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in patients with heart transplantation.Methods Fourteen patients with heart transplantation ( rejection)[12 male,2 female,mean age (49.21±17.91)],twenty four patients with heart transplantation (no rejection) [21 male,3 female,mean age (40.11±12.57)],and fifty one subjects with normal left ventricular function [26 male,25 female,mean age (43.69±14.81) ] were examined by Philips iE33 with a X3-1 probe.Results Right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in heart transplantation (including no rejection and rejection) was reduced compared with subjects with normal heart function (all P<0.05),but right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) and right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV) were no significantly different between heart transplantation and subjects with normal heart function (all P>0.05),but the volume and function of right ventricle were no significantly different between rejection heart transplantation and no rejection heart transplantation.Parameter index of 17 segment including standard deviation (SD) and maximum difference(Dif) of 16,12 and 6 segment time to minimal systolic volume(Tmsv 16-SD,Tmsv 16-Dif,Tmsv 12-SD,Tmsv 12-Dif,Tmsv 6-SD,Tmsv 6-Dif),and the percent of SD and maximum difference 16,12 and 6 segment time tominimal systolic volume [Tmsv 16-SD(%),Tmsv 16-Dif(%),Tmsv 12-SD(%),Tmsv 12-Dif(%),Tmsv 6-SD(%),Tmsv 6-Dif(%)] was significantly higher in patients with heart transplantation (rejection) than that in subjects with normal heart function and in patients with heart transplantation (no rejection)[except Tmsv 16-SD and Tmsv 16-SD(%),other P<0.05],however,there was no significantly different between heart transplantation (no rejection) and subjects with normal heart function(all P>0.05).But also average,maximum and minimum value of excursion in three groups was no significantly different (all P>0.05).Conclusions Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography can rapidly and acurately evaluate left and right ventricular function in patients with heart transplantation.     

Transcranial Doppler monitoring during language tasks in stroke patients with aphasia

Purpose. To investigate the pattern of hemispheric activation, according to cerebral blood flow changes, as measured by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD) during language tasks in stroke patients with aphasia.

Method. Prospective study investigating results of TCD monitoring during language naming and recognition tasks in ischemic stroke patients (n = 32) with and without aphasia and 5 control subjects.

Results. Delta mean flow velocity (MFV) in the left Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) was found to be much lower in aphasia patients as compared to healthy subjects. Negative statistical correlation was found between the improvement of language ability and the blood flow velocity parameters in the left hemisphere. Aphasia patients with good language ability showed much higher MFV in the right MCA during the first test. Left hemispheric blood flow velocity shift was found to be higher during speech tasks in the patients with poor language ability.

Conclusions. Our study suggests that the performance of language tasks in aphasia patients during early recovery after stroke is associated with relatively high right hemisphere activation. High blood flow velocity in the right MCA of aphasia patients was found to be a good prognostic sign for better language ability. Arterial blood flow that shifted towards the left hemisphere during speech tasks was associated with poor language ability.