Normalization of aperiodic ECoG components indicates fine motor recovery after sensory cortical stroke in mice

Electrophysiological signatures of ischemic stroke might help to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of recovery. Here, analyses of multichannel electrocorticography (ECoG) in awake mice demonstrated that the shape of power spectral density (PSD) is modulated in the vicinity of sensory cortical stroke. PSD consists of both rhythmic oscillatory and non-rhythmic, aperiodic components. The alteration of spectrum shape was reflected in a transient increase of aperiodic exponents, while the relative power and frequency of slow oscillations remained unchanged in the peri-infarct cortex. Exponents derived from motor areas significantly correlated with recovery of fine motor deficits of the contralateral forepaw thus indicating functional modifications of neuronal activity. In conclusion, aperiodic spectral exponents exhibited a unique spatiotemporal profile in the mouse cortex after stroke and might complement future studies providing a dynamic link from pathophysiology to behavior.