Liu H, Peng X, Dahmani L, et al. - In order to describe the timeframe and spatial patterns of cortical reorganization following different stroke-induced basal ganglia lesions, researchers measured the cortical thickness at 5-time points over a 6-month period. They assumed that cortical reorganization would occur very early and that, along with motor recovery, it would vary based on the site of stroke lesion. For this analysis, 33 patients with unilateral basal ganglia stroke and 23 healthy control candidates had MRI scanning and behavioral testing. Cortical thickness already increased in widespread brain areas within 14 days poststroke, mostly in the frontal and temporal cortices rather than in the motor cortex. The findings underscore the significance of evaluating patients early and considering individual differences, as cortical reorganization patterns vary substantially depending on the exact location of damage and occur very soon after the stroke. Improved understanding of macrostructural brain changes following stroke and their relationship to recovery may inform individualized treatment approaches.