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Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Levodopa-sensitive, dynamic changes in effective connectivity during simultaneous movements in Parkinson's disease.
S J Palmer1, L Eigenraam, T Hoque
1Department of Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, M36 Purdy Pavilion, 2221 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5. sjpalmer@interchange.ubc.ca
Neuroscience
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Parkinson's disease impairs simultaneous movements due to disrupted brain connectivity. Levodopa (l-DOPA) medication partially restores this brain network communication, improving motor function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) are linked to altered brain effective connectivity.
- Simultaneous or bimanual movements are particularly challenging for individuals with PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in effective connectivity as a mechanism underlying motor task difficulties in Parkinson's disease.
- To examine the effects of Levodopa (l-DOPA) medication on brain connectivity during motor tasks.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to scan 8 PD subjects (off and on l-DOPA) and 10 healthy controls.
- Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) assessed effective connectivity between regions of interest.
- Multivariate Autoregressive (MAR) modeling analyzed temporal dynamics of task performance.
Main Results:
- PD subjects showed altered effective connectivity and temporal dynamics during simultaneous tasks compared to controls.
- l-DOPA treatment partially normalized connectivity and temporal patterns in PD subjects.
- Some brain connections remained altered in PD even after l-DOPA medication.
Conclusions:
- Difficulty with simultaneous movements in PD is partly due to disrupted communication between cortical and subcortical areas.
- l-DOPA aids in normalizing this disrupted brain network communication.
- Studying brain connectivity disruptions offers insights into functional deficits in neurodegenerative diseases like PD.
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