Stroke Recovery Monitoring

Longitudinal EEG Assessment of Functional Recovery

This project examines neural recovery patterns following stroke through repeated EEG assessments across six measurement points.

The objective is to identify measurable changes in brain regulation, cognitive activation, and motor network function over time.

Rather than relying solely on subjective reporting or isolated clinical snapshots, this study focuses on longitudinal neural markers of recovery.

Objective

To investigate:

  • Changes in resting-state regulation
  • Cognitive activation efficiency
  • Motor network reorganization
  • Indicators of neuroplastic adaptation
Six repeated EEG sessions were conducted using standardized resting, cognitive, and motor tasks.

Resting-State Regulation

Posterior Alpha Activity (O1 / O2)

Across six measurements, a clear progression was observed:

  • Early sessions showed weak posterior alpha response
  • Mid-phase sessions demonstrated increasing alpha activation
  • Later sessions revealed more stable and symmetrical alpha patterns
Posterior alpha is associated with neural regulation and recovery capacity.
The observed normalization suggests:

  • Improved resting-state regulation
  • Reduced neural overload
  • Better recovery capacity
In early measurements, reduced alpha generation was consistent with stress-related or compensatory post-stroke patterns. Over time, responses became more physiologically stable.

Frontal Beta at Rest

Initial sessions showed elevated frontal beta activity — often associated with heightened baseline activation or compensatory effort.

Across subsequent sessions:

  • Frontal beta gradually decreased
  • Baseline activation became more stable
  • Neural overactivation diminished
This indicates reduced baseline stress and improved neural energy efficiency.

Cognitive Activation

Working Memory Task (Backward Counting)

Early measurements revealed:

  • Elevated frontal beta activation
  • Limited theta engagement
This suggests compensatory cognitive effort rather than efficient executive activation.
In later sessions:

  • Frontal theta activation increased
  • Beta overactivation decreased
  • Task-related activation became more physiologically aligned
This shift indicates improved executive network efficiency and reduced cognitive overcompensation.

Selective Attention

Over time, the data showed:

  • Reduced signal instability
  • Decreased frontal overactivation
  • More stable parietal engagement
This pattern reflects improved network coordination and attentional regulation.

Motor Network Reorganization

Contralateral Motor Activation (C3 / C4)

Early sessions showed:

  • Asymmetric activation
  • Increased frontal involvement during motor tasks
Later sessions demonstrated:

  • Reduced frontal compensation
  • Clearer motor cortex engagement
  • Improved interhemispheric balance
This suggests reduced compensatory control and more automated motor activation.

Motor Imagery (ERD in Mu/Beta Bands)

One of the most significant findings was the progressive increase in event-related desynchronization (ERD) during motor imagery tasks.

Early measurements showed weak ERD on the affected side.

Later sessions demonstrated:

  • Stronger desynchronization
  • More symmetrical motor imagery response
  • Improved network responsiveness
Increased ERD over time is considered a potential biomarker of neuroplastic adaptation.

Global Trend Summary

Across six repeated assessments, consistent directional changes were observed:

  • Increased posterior alpha
  • Reduced frontal beta at rest
  • Increased frontal theta during tasks
  • Reduced motor asymmetry
  • Strengthened ERD response
These changes occurred progressively rather than randomly, suggesting structured functional improvement rather than measurement variability.

Interpretation

The data indicates:

  • Reduced compensatory frontal overactivation
  • Improved neural regulation
  • More physiologically aligned activation patterns
  • Strengthening of functional motor networks
Together, these findings are consistent with functional recovery, reduced cognitive overload, and network stabilization following stroke.

While further studies with larger cohorts are required for validation, the observed longitudinal trends suggest meaningful and biologically plausible neural improvement over time.
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