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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
08:51
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Altered functional and structural connectivities in patients with MS: a 3-T study
M A Rocca1, E Pagani, M Absinta
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Neurology
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients show altered brain connectivity and white matter damage. Functional connectivity changes may help limit clinical effects of structural damage in RRMS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease.
- Motor network dysfunction is a common clinical manifestation in RRMS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional and structural underpinnings of motor network dysfunction in RRMS.
- To explore the relationship between structural white matter damage and functional connectivity alterations.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor (DT) MRI and functional MRI were acquired from 12 RRMS patients and 14 healthy controls.
- DT MRI tractography was used to assess white matter (WM) integrity.
- Functional connectivity analysis was performed during a simple motor task.
Main Results:
- RRMS patients exhibited abnormal DT MRI metrics across all studied WM bundles.
- Increased brain activation and functional connectivity were observed in motor areas of RRMS patients.
- Altered connectivity coefficients correlated with structural MRI metrics of tissue damage.
Conclusions:
- Functional connectivity changes may play an adaptive role in mitigating clinical symptoms associated with structural damage in RRMS.
- Combined analysis of functional and structural brain network alterations offers insights into CNS damage mechanisms.
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