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Published on: June 26, 2013
Brain Connectivity Networks Constructed Using MRI for Predicting Patterns of Atrophy Progression in Parkinson
Silvia Basaia1, Federica Agosta1, Elisabetta Sarasso1
1From the Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience (S.B., F.A., E. Sarasso, R.B., M.F.), Neurology Unit (F.A., M.F.), Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery (E. Sarasso), Neurorehabilitation Unit (M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (F.A., R.B., M.F.); Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, and Maternal Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy (E. Sarasso); Clinic of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia (T.S., I.S., A.T., V.M., E. Stefanova, V.S.K.); and Neurology Unit, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy (F.V.).
Brain connectome mapping can predict gray matter atrophy progression in early Parkinson disease (PD). Structural and functional connectivity influence how atrophy spreads, aiding in early diagnosis and monitoring of PD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Brain Connectomics
Background:
- Parkinson disease (PD) progression involves gray matter (GM) atrophy.
- Predicting atrophy patterns using brain connectivity in early PD is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess brain structural and functional connectivity in healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between connectivity and GM atrophy spread in mild PD patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of mild PD patients and healthy controls.
- Used MRI (diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI) to map brain connectomes.
- Defined Disease Exposure (DE) indexes based on connectivity and atrophy severity.
- Developed prediction models for GM atrophy progression.
Main Results:
- DE indexes at 1-2 years correlated with atrophy at 2-3 years (r=0.22-0.33, P=0.002-0.04).
- Models with DE indexes predicted GM atrophy in the caudate nucleus and frontal, parietal, temporal regions (R^2=0.40-0.61, P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Brain connectome's structural and functional organization influences atrophy progression in early PD.
- Connectome mapping shows potential for predicting PD-related brain changes.
