PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION IN ACUTE STROKE

Background and Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the role o f motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in predicting functional recovery of hemiparesis and hemiplegia in acute stroke patients. Methods Twenty-se ven acute stroke patients were evaluated clinically and electrophysiol ogically within the first week and 3 to 6 months after the event. Clin ical assessment included a quantitative evaluation of motor ability an d activities of daily living. MEPs were recorded from the abductor pol licis brevis and tibialis anterior muscles bilaterally. Correlations b etween clinical parameters and MEPs were assessed. Results In the acut e period, no MEP could be detected in 17 of 27 patients. In these 17 p atients, the clinical scores were worse than in the patients whose MEP s could be elicited. However, in the follow-up period (3 to 6 months), no significant differences in motor function were observed between th e two groups.Conclusions In the acute phase of stroke, neurophysiologi cal parameters were correlated with the clinical findings, but MEPs ha d no value in predicting the outcome of hemiparesis and hemiplegia.