• Age \>18 years

• Ischemic stroke confirmed by clinical and imaging criteria

• Hemiparesis including reduced upper-extremity function

• Location of stroke either cortically involving middle cerebral artery or the anterior cerebral artery circulation or subcortical (involving thalamus, basal ganglia).

• NIHSS score \>2 and \<8

• Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 3

• Index of stroke within 4 weeks of inclusion

• Signed informed consent

• Age between \>18 years (matched to patients)

• Sex and age matched to patients

• Able bodied

• Have the ability to comply with all requirements of the study protocol, as determined by the investigator

• No history of stroke or dementia

• Eligible for MRI and TMS