Compensatory Augmentation in the Pre-Supplementary Motor Area Mediates Aspects of Verbal Fluency Recovery Following Cerebellar Stroke: A Multimodal SPECT and f-NIRS Pilot Study

(1,15) = 5.164, P = 0.038). Consistent with a transient compensatory effort, longitudinal data demonstrated a reduction in pre-SMA activity concurrent with subsequent cognitive recovery, suggesting increased neural efficiency.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence that verbal fluency deficits post-cerebellar stroke are linked to fronto-cerebellar diaschisis. Our findings suggests that the pre-SMA serve as a pivotal compensatory node supporting functional recovery. These results provide a hypothesis-generating basis for future targeted rehabilitation strategies and neuromodulatory interventions.