Neural Regeneration Research (Jan 2015)

What drives progressive motor deficits in patients with acute pontine infarction?

  • Jue-bao Li,
  • Rui-dong Cheng,
  • Liang Zhou,
  • Wan-shun Wen,
  • Gen-ying Zhu,
  • Liang Tian,
  • Xiang-ming Ye

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.153703
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 3
pp. 501 – 504

Abstract

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Progressive motor deficits are relatively common in acute pontine infarction and frequently associated with increased functional disability. However, the factors that affect the progression of clinical motor weakness are largely unknown. Previous studies have suggested that pontine infarctions are caused mainly by basilar artery stenosis and penetrating artery disease. Recently, lower pons lesions in patients with acute pontine infarctions have been reported to be related to progressive motor deficits, and ensuing that damage to the corticospinal tracts may be responsible for the worsening of neurological symptoms. Here, we review studies on motor weakness progression in pontine infarction and discuss the mechanisms that may underlie the neurologic worsening.

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