Altered intra- and interregional synchronization in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a resting-state fMRI
Lin Wu1, Yue Zhang2, Fuqing Zhou1
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China; Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China.
Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
|May 5, 2016
Summary
Resting-state neuroimaging reveals altered brain activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients show reduced regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the insula and caudate, linked to white matter lesions and fatigue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is characterized by structural brain disconnection and neural network dysfunction.
- Previous studies focused on large-scale networks, with limited investigation into local brain activity during resting states in RRMS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intra- and interregional synchronized brain activity in RRMS patients at rest.
- To explore the relationship between brain activity alterations and clinical measures in RRMS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized regional homogeneity (ReHo) and resting-state functional connectivity (FC) analysis.
- Studied 22 patients with RRMS and 22 matched healthy controls (HCs).
Main Results:
- RRMS patients exhibited significantly decreased ReHo in the left insula and right caudate compared to HCs.
- Found decreased FC between the left insula and left precentral gyrus, and increased FC between the right caudate and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in RRMS patients.
- Decreased left insula ReHo correlated with increased white matter lesion load and worsened cognitive function; right caudate ReHo correlated with disease duration and lesion load; altered FC in the caudate correlated with fatigue and lesion load.
Conclusions:
- Insular dysfunction is associated with sensorimotor disconnection in RRMS.
- Demyelinating lesions contribute to intra- and interregional dysfunction in the caudate, impacting cognitive control and fatigue.
- Abnormal synchronization in the insula and caudate plays a significant role in RRMS pathology.
