2.2. Participants
brain abnormalities, stroke, primary diseases, psychiatric, tumors, infarct, infarction
STROKE, DISORDERS, ISCHEMIC STROKE, TUMORS, INFARCT, INFARCTION
A total of 53 patients who matched the selection criteria were recruited from Dongzhimen Hospital affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Beijing, China) from March 2018 to December 2021. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients with ischemic stroke; (2) within 6 weeks from onset; (3) single lesion of ischemic infarct restricted to the unilateral hemisphere involving the internal capsule, basal ganglia, corona radiata, and its neighboring regions; (4) right-handed before stroke; (5) 35-80 years of age; (6) consciousness and stable condition; (7) not taken any psychiatric medications in 1 month. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) severe primary diseases of heart, liver, kidneys, hematologic system, immune system disease, tumors, and psychiatric disorders; (2) pregnant or lactating women; (3) any MRI contraindications; (4) any brain abnormalities except infarction identified by MRI. Seven patients did not complete the second MRI scan for personal reasons, and six patients were excluded due to severe head motion during scanning. Therefore, a total of 40 patients were included in the final analysis. 