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Published on: August 7, 2017
Global Functional Network Connectivity Disturbances in Parkinson's Disease with Mild Cognitive Impairment by
Xin-Xin Shuai1, Xiang-Chuang Kong2,3, Yan Zou2,3
1Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
Abstract:
Examining the spontaneous BOLD activity to understand the neural mechanism of Parkinson's disease (PD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a focus in resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies. This study aimed to investigate the alteration of brain functional connectivity in PD with MCI in a systematical way at two levels: functional connectivity analysis within resting state networks (RSNs) and functional network connectivity (FNC) analysis. Using group independent component analysis (ICA) on rs-fMRI data acquired from 30 participants (14 healthy controls and 16 PD patients with MCI), 16 RSNs were identified, and functional connectivity analysis within the RSNs and FNC analysis were carried out between groups. Compared to controls, patients with PD showed decreased functional connectivity within putamen network, thalamus network, cerebellar network, attention network, and self-referential network, and increased functional connectivity within execution network. Globally disturbed, mostly increased functional connectivity of FNC was observed in PD group, and insular network and execution network were the dominant network with extensively increased functional connectivity with other RSNs. Cerebellar network showed decreased functional connectivity with caudate network, insular network, and self-referential network. In general, decreased functional connectivity within RSNs and globally disturbed, mostly increased functional connectivity of FNC may be characteristics of PD. Increased functional connectivity within execution network may be an early marker of PD. The multi-perspective study based on RSNs may be a valuable means to assess functional changes corresponding to specific RSN, contributing to the understanding of the neural mechanism of PD.
Insights
Resting-state fMRI reveals altered brain connectivity in Parkinson's disease (PD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Decreased functional connectivity within networks and globally disturbed network connectivity characterize PD, with increased execution network connectivity potentially indicating early disease stages.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) presents complex neural challenges.
- Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) is crucial for understanding spontaneous brain activity in neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate alterations in brain functional connectivity in PD with MCI.
- To analyze changes at both within-network (resting-state networks - RSNs) and between-network (functional network connectivity - FNC) levels.
Main Methods:
- Group independent component analysis (ICA) applied to rs-fMRI data from 14 healthy controls and 16 PD patients with MCI.
- Identification of 16 RSNs and subsequent analysis of functional connectivity within RSNs and FNC between RSNs.
Main Results:
- PD patients exhibited decreased functional connectivity in putamen, thalamus, cerebellar, attention, and self-referential networks.
- Increased functional connectivity was observed within the execution network and globally across FNC.
- The insular and execution networks showed extensive increased FNC, while the cerebellar network had decreased FNC with other specific networks.
Conclusions:
- Decreased within-RSN connectivity and globally disturbed, often increased, FNC are characteristic of PD with MCI.
- Elevated functional connectivity within the execution network may serve as an early biomarker for PD.
- This multi-perspective RSN-based analysis offers valuable insights into functional changes and the neural mechanisms of PD.
