Resting-state default mode network connectivity in young individuals with Down syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Radiology

Background:

• Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder associated with intellectual disability.
• Functional connectivity and default mode network (DMN) structure in young DS individuals remain understudied.
• Previous research focused on DMN in adult DS populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the density and structure of the DMN in young individuals with Down syndrome (<36 years).
• To compare DMN functional connectivity patterns between young DS individuals and age-matched controls.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on 22 young individuals with DS (ages 16-35).
• Collected sociodemographic data and conducted a 6-minute fMRI scan using a 3.0 T Philips Ingenia scanner.
• Compared DMN properties with a control group of 22 individuals from the Human Connectome Project.

Main Results:

• Estimated DMN connectivity graphs, ROI clustering, and degree values for all participants.
• Identified a higher density of overactivation within the ventral, sensorimotor, and visual DMN networks in the DS group.
• Observed significant variability in connectivity patterns within the DS group compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• The findings reveal distinct DMN functional connectivity patterns in young individuals with Down syndrome.
• Highlights the increased overactivation in specific DMN networks and significant intrasubject variability.
• Contributes to a better understanding of neurobiological differences in DS.