Fronto-striatal network activation leads to less fatigue in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Fatigue is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• The fronto-striatal network is linked to fatigue and goal attainment.
• Goal attainment can reduce fatigue in healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if stimulating the fronto-striatal network through goal attainment reduces fatigue in MS patients and healthy controls (HC).
• To explore the neural mechanisms underlying fatigue reduction associated with goal pursuit.

Main Methods:

• 14 healthy and 19 MS participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• Participants performed a gambling task with conditions of monetary reward (outcome) and no reward (no outcome).
• Self-reported fatigue and structural brain changes were assessed.

Main Results:

• Both MS and HC groups reported decreased fatigue after the outcome condition compared to the no outcome condition.
• Increased ventral striatum activation was observed during the outcome condition in both groups.
• The ventromedial prefrontal cortex showed differential activation patterns between groups and conditions.

Conclusions:

• This is the first neuroimaging study demonstrating that goal attainment via the fronto-striatal network decreases on-task fatigue in MS and healthy individuals.
• Findings suggest a potential therapeutic target for managing fatigue in MS.