Brain Circuitry Changes in Central Poststroke Pain: a Clinical and Neuroimaging Study

Inclusion Criteria patients: * Patients with a haemorrhagic or ischemic stroke affecting the somatosensory system as defined by both CT or MRI and clinical criteria * Patient age between 18-75 years * Signed written informed consent Exclusion Criteria patients: * Secondary stroke due to a cerebral vascular malformation or tumor * Patients with aphasic syndromes and impaired verbal communication, complete sensory-motor hemi-neglect and restrictions of the ability to report on their pain and cooperate during sensory testing * Patients with severe stroke NIHSS \> 14 and or Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) \> 3 * History of severe myelopathy or polyneuropathy with clinical sensory deficits and history of neuropathic pain * Widespread stroke size due to internal carotid artery-occlusion or more than one main territory (anterior, middle or posterior cerebral artery) * Contraindication for 7T MRI (metallic implant, tattoo, claustrophobia, etc.) * In case of women \< 45 years of age: pregnancy Inclusion Criteria for healthy volunteers * Informed consent as documented by signature * Age: ≥18 years and ≤ 75 years Exclusion criteria for healthy volunteers * Pregnancy and breastfeeding * Contraindication for 7T MRI (metallic implant, tattoo, claustrophobia, etc.)