Changes in functional network centrality underlie cognitive dysfunction and physical disability in multiple sclerosis. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schoonheim, M M; Geurts, J J G; Wiebenga, O T; De Munck, J C; Polman, C H; Stam, C J; Barkhof, F; Wink, A M
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 20:Number 8(2014)
• Page Start: 1058
• Page End: 1065
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- cognition -- connectivity -- thalamus -- hippocampus -- functional reorganization; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458513516892
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) has a large impact on the quality of life and is poorly understood. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate functional network integrity in MS, and relate this to cognitive dysfunction and physical disability. Methods: Resting state fMRI scans were included of 128 MS patients and 50 controls. Eigenvector centrality mapping (ECM) was applied, a graph analysis technique that ranks the importance of brain regions based on their connectivity patterns. Significant ECM changes were related to physical disability and cognitive dysfunction. Results: In MS patients, ECM values were increased in bilateral thalamus and posterior cingulate (PCC) areas, and decreased in sensorimotor and ventral stream areas. Sensorimotor ECM decreases were related to higher EDSS (rho = −0.24, p = 0.007), while ventral stream decreases were related to poorer average cognition (rho = 0.23, p = 0.009). The thalamus displayed increased connectivity to sensorimotor and ventral stream areas. Conclusion: In MS, areas in the ventral stream and sensorimotor cortex appear to become less central in the entire functional network of the brain, which is associated with clinico-cognitive dysfunction. The thalamus, however, displays increased connectivity with these areas. These findings may aid in further elucidating the function of functional reorganization processes in MS.