Michele Veldsman1, Amy Brodtmann1, Graeme Jackson2, and Evan Curwood2
1Stroke Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Australia, 2Epilepsy Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Australia
Brain atrophy is common after stroke. The extent and
pattern of atrophy has not been well investigated and has been limited to
localised atrophy and cross-sectional studies, despite network-wide effects of
stroke on brain structure and function. We examined correlations in the rate of
longitudinal cortical thickness change in stroke patients, compared to healthy
age-matched controls. We aimed to investigate whether patterns of
neurodegeneration occur in healthy networks as in aging and dementia. We
provide evidence of correlations in the rate of cortical atrophy within the DMN
suggesting a process of network-based degeneration one year after stroke.
