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Journal of Neurology

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01-01-2020 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Communication

“Thalamic aphasia” after stroke is associated with left anterior lesion location

Authors: Merve Fritsch, Thomas Krause, Fabian Klostermann, Kersten Villringer, Manuela Ihrke, Christian H. Nolte

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Aphasic symptoms are typically associated with lesions of the left fronto-temporal cortex. Interestingly, aphasic symptoms have also been described in patients with thalamic strokes in anterior, paramedian or posterolateral location. So far, systematic analyses are missing.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to our tertiary stroke care center between January 2016 and July 2017 with image-based (MRI) proven ischemic stroke. We evaluated stroke lesion location, using 3-T MRI, and presence of aphasic symptoms.

Results

Out of 1064 patients, 104 (9.8%) presented with a thalamic stroke, 52 of which (4.9%) had an isolated lesion in the thalamus (ILT). In patients with ILT, 6/52 had aphasic symptoms. Aphasic symptoms after ILT were only present in patients with left anterior lesion location (n = 6, 100% left anterior vs. 0% other thalamic location, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Aphasic symptoms in thalamic stroke are strongly associated with left anterior lesion location. In thalamo-cortical language networks, specifically the nuclei in the left anterior thalamus could play an important role in integration of left cortical information with disconnection leading to aphasic symptoms.

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Title: “Thalamic aphasia” after stroke is associated with left anterior lesion location
Authors: Merve Fritsch
Thomas Krause
Fabian Klostermann
Kersten Villringer
Manuela Ihrke
Christian H. Nolte
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Stroke
Aphasia
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09560-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

“Thalamic aphasia” after stroke is associated with left anterior lesion location

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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