The role of the corticospinal tract in motor recovery in patients with a stroke: A review

The corticospinal tract (CST) is the major neuronal pathway that mediates voluntary movements. The preservation or recovery of the CST is mandatory for good recovery of impaired motor function in patients with a stroke. However, the role of the CST in motor recovery in stroke patients is not well-elucidated. In the current study, we reviewed the literature related to the role of the CST in motor recovery in stroke patients with respect to the following: recovery of a damaged CST, peri-lesional reorganization at the subcortical level, peri-lesional reorganization at the level of the cortex, the ipsilateral motor pathway from the affected hemisphere to the affected extremities, and locomotor recovery.