Osteopontin predicts late-time salience network-related functional connectivity in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neuroimmunology
• Neurology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves neurodegeneration, with osteopontin (OPN) implicated in its pathogenesis.
• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is crucial for studying brain plasticity and reorganization in MS.
• The salience network (SN) plays a key role in brain function and is affected in neurological disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum osteopontin (OPN) levels and functional connectivity (FC) within the salience network (SN) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To determine if OPN concentration can predict long-term alterations in SN functional connectivity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in 44 MS patients.
• Analyzed local and interhemispheric correlations (LCOR, IHC), ROI-to-ROI, and seed-based connectivity using serum OPN levels as the independent variable.
• Controlled for age and gender as nuisance variables.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between OPN levels and local correlations in the central opercular and insular cortices.
• OPN concentration correlated significantly with interhemispheric correlation between the central opercular and insular cortices.
• Positive associations were observed between OPN levels and functional connectivity (FC) strength within the SN, including connections involving the anterior insula.

Conclusions:

• Serum OPN levels may serve as a predictive biomarker for future functional connectivity alterations within the salience network in MS patients.
• This study suggests a link between a key inflammatory marker and long-term brain network changes in MS.
• Findings underscore the potential of OPN as a target for understanding MS progression and therapeutic strategies.