Altered brain network function during attention-modulated visual processing in multiple sclerosis. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veréb, Dániel; Tóth, Eszter; Bozsik, Bence; Király, András; Szabó, Nikoletta; Kincses, Bálint; Kocsis, Krisztián; Faragó, Péter; László, Vécsei; Bencsik, Krisztina; Klivényi, Péter; Kincses, Zsigmond Tamás
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 27:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1341
• Page End: 1349
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis -- cognitive disability -- visuospatial attention -- functional MRI -- model-free analysis; 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: 10.1177/1352458520958360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis may damage cognitive performance in several domains, including attention. Although attention network deficits were described during rest, studies that investigate their function during task performance are scarce. Objective: To investigate connectivity within and between task-related networks in multiple sclerosis during a visual attention task as a function of cognitive performance. Methods: A total of 23 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and 29 healthy controls underwent task-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans using a visual attention paradigm on a 3T scanner. Scans were analysed using tensor-independent component analysis (TICA). Functional connectivity was calculated within and between components. We assessed cognitive function with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery. Results: TICA extracted components related to visual processing, attention, executive function and the default-mode network. Subject scores of visual/attention-related and executive components were greater in healthy controls ( p < 0.032, p < 0.023). Connectivity between visual/attention-related and default-mode components was higher in patients ( p < 0.043), correlating with Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised (BVMT-R) scores ( R = −0.48, p < 0.036). Patients showed reduced connectivity between the right intraparietal sulcus (rIPS) and frontal eye field (rFEF), and bilateral frontal eye fields ( p < 0.012, p < 0.003). Reduced rIPS-rFEF connectivity came with lower Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)/BVMT-R scores in patients ( R = 0.53, p < 0.02, R = 0.46, p < 0.049). Conclusion: Attention-related networks show altered connectivity during task performance in RRMS patients, scaling with cognitive disability.