Fig. 2

T1 (upper row  of panels) AND T2-weighted (lower left panel) magnetic resonance images evidencing a lacunar infarct in the ventral posterolateral portion of the left thalamus. The lesion is millimetric (6 mm longest diameter, 83 mm³ volume) and it appears characteristically hypointense in the T1-weighted sequence, and hyperintense in the T2-weighted sequence and in Flair (not shown). Diffusion-weighted MR image and apparent diffusion coefficient map (not shown) do not evidence any associated restriction of water molecules diffusivity, thus confirming that the lesion is a chronic lacunar stroke. In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging shows the presence of multiple gliotic subcortical and periventricular areas suggestive of a chronic microvascular ischemic disease, a common finding in elderly people. In the lower right corner the figure shows functional magnetic resonance images of a sensory-motor task consisting of rubbing the fingers of the affected (right) hand. The movement elicited a typical pattern of activation of both the controlateral motor and sensory hand area and the ipsilateral hand area (P < 0.001, uncorrected). Images are all shown in radiological convention (right is left)