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Published on: June 26, 2013
Functional brain networks in movement disorders: recent advances
Florian Holtbernd1, David Eidelberg
1Center for Neurosciences, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA.
Current Opinion in Neurology
|June 20, 2012
Summary
Functional brain imaging reveals abnormal networks in Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. These network changes correlate with disease severity and aid in diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Neurology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonian syndromes involve complex neurobiological changes.
- Traditional histopathology focuses on basal ganglia, but functional alterations extend beyond these structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in neuroimaging techniques for identifying disease-specific functional brain networks.
- To highlight the clinical applications of network imaging in movement disorders.
Main Methods:
- Review of positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies.
- Analysis of network-level functional changes and interregional connectivity.
Main Results:
- Distinct abnormal metabolic brain networks and altered connectivity identified in Parkinson's disease and related disorders.
- Network functional changes correlate with disease severity and progression.
- Network-based algorithms improve diagnostic accuracy and objectively measure treatment response.
Conclusions:
- Functional brain imaging offers a better understanding of movement disorders as widespread network alterations.
- Advances in imaging contribute to identifying reliable biomarkers for disease progression and treatment effects.
- Future clinical trials may utilize these findings for enhanced patient management.
