Resting-state connectivity of pre-motor cortex reflects disability in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting motor function.
• Understanding brain reorganization in MS is crucial for managing disability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between motor resting-state connectivity of the dorsal pre-motor cortex (PMd) and clinical disability in MS patients.
• To differentiate this relationship between relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) and secondary progressive MS (SP-MS).

Main Methods:

• Functional resting-state MRI was used in 27 RR-MS and 15 SP-MS patients.
• Clinical disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
• Independent component analysis and multiple regression were employed to analyze PMd connectivity and EDSS scores.

Main Results:

• A positive linear relationship was found between left PMd motor resting-state connectivity and clinical disability in MS.
• This association was more pronounced in RR-MS patients.
• No significant relationship was observed for the right PMd or in SP-MS patients.

Conclusions:

• Increased functional coupling of the left PMd with the motor network may represent an adaptive strategy to maintain motor function in early MS.
• This compensatory mechanism appears to be specific to the relapsing-remitting phase of the disease.