FV 11 Patterns of abnormal functional connectivity in progressive supranuclear palsy are associated with impaired behavioral performance. Issue 10 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosskopf, J.; Gorges, M.; Müller, H.P.; Lule, D.; Uttner, I.; Pinkhardt, E.H.; Ludolph, A.C.; Kassubek, J.
• Is Part Of: Clinical neurophysiology. Volume 128:Issue 10(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: e311
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Electroencephalography -- Periodicals; Electromyography -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.06.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-2457

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The underlying pathological process in neurodegenerative diseases is associated with altered functional brain organization. Objective: To study functional connectivity and its possible behavioral correlates in specific networks in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Methods: Whole-brain based "resting-state" fMRI data from 34 PSP patients (Richardson subtype (PSP-RS): n = 22; Parkinsonian subtype (PSP-P): n = 12) and 35 matched healthy controls were subjected to network-based functional connectivity analysis. Results: Group comparison between PSP patients and controls revealed significantly decreased functional connectivity ( p < 0.05, corrected) in the prefrontal cortex which was significantly correlated with the cognitive status ( p = 0.006). Of note, midbrain network connectivity in PSP patients revealed increased connectivity with the thalamus on the one hand, while regionally decreased functional connectivity within the midbrain was significantly correlated with vertical gaze palsy ( p = 0.004) as quantified by video-oculographically on the other hand. PSP-RS showed significantly increased functional motor network connectivity with the medial prefrontal gyrus, whereas PSP-P patients presented no significant difference in motor network connectivity. Conclusion: PSP-associated neurodegeneration may be attributed to both, decreased and increased functional connectivity. Decreasing functional connectivity was associated with worse behavioral performance (i.e. cognitive decline, gaze palsy), whereas the pattern of increased functional connectivity may be attributed to adaptive changes.