Alterations in functional connectivity are associated with white matter lesions and information processing efficiency in multiple sclerosis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Soares, JM (Author) Other; Conde, R (Author) Other; Magalhaes, R (Author) Other; Marques, P (Author) Other; Magalhaes, R (Author) Other; Gomes, L (Author) Other; Goncalves, OF (Author) Other; Arantes, M (Author) FMUP; Sampaio, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Brain Imaging and Behavior

ISSN: 1931-7557

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-VR5

DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00264-z

Abstract (EN): Functional connectivity (FC) is typically altered in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, the relationship between brain FC, tissue integrity and cognitive impairment is still unclear as contradictory findings have been documented. In this exploratory study we compared both the whole brain connectome and resting state networks (RSNs) FC of twenty-one RRMS and seventeen healthy controls (HCs), using combined network based statistics and independent component analyses. The total white matter (WM) lesion volume and information processing efficiency were also correlated with FC in the RRMS group. Both whole brain connectome and individual RSNs FC were diminished in patients with RRMS compared to HC. Additionally, the reduction in FC was found to be a function of the total WM lesion volume, with greatest impact in those harboring the largest lesion volume. Finally, a positive correlation between FC and information processing efficiency was observed in RRMS. This complimentary whole brain and RSNs FC approach can contribute to clarify literature inconsistencies regarding FC alterations and provide new insights on the white matter structural damage in explaining functional abnormalities in RRMS.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14