The level of cortical afferent inhibition in acute stroke correlates with long-term functional recovery in humans.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we investigated short-interval intracortical inhibition and short-latency afferent inhibition in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS We evaluated short-interval intracortical inhibition and short-latency afferent inhibition in the affected hemisphere and unaffected hemisphere in 16 patients and correlated electrophysiological parameters with outcome at 6 months. RESULTS Affected hemisphere short-latency afferent inhibition was significantly reduced in patients, and short-latency afferent inhibition level correlated with functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS Reduced afferent inhibition in acute stroke correlates with long-term recovery.