Our group investigates disturbances of structural and functional brain networks within the collaborative research group 936 (SFB 936, Multi-Site Communication in the Brain). We curated the UKE stroke database, a longitudinal study of patients with first symptomatic stoke and upper extremity motor deficit, including a comprehensive clinical characterization and tailored state-of-the-art MRI examinations.

We examined the structural impact of a focal ischemic lesion within a network of interconnected sensorimotor brain areas using reconstruction of white matter tracts (DTI) and analysis of cortical thickness. Dynamics of structural alterations of grey and white matter within the sensorimotor network were related to clinical outcome. Findings of our study are integrated into a complex model of recovery from stroke with results from functional imaging and EEG analysis together with other projects in SFB 936.