Brain Connectivity in Multiple Sclerosis
Author Information
Author(s): Martí-Juan Gerard, Sastre-Garriga Jaume, Vidal-Jordana Angela, Llufriu Sara, Martinez-Heras Eloy, Groppa Sergiu, González-Escamilla Gabriel, Rocca Maria A., Filippi Massimo, Høgestøl Einar A., Harbo Hanne F., Foster Michael A., Collorone Sara, Toosy Ahmed T., Schoonheim Menno M., Strijbis Eva, Pontillo Giuseppe, Petracca Maria, Deco Gustavo, Rovira Àlex, Pareto Deborah
Primary Institution: Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
Hypothesis
The conservation principle of structural brain connectivity will hold in people with multiple sclerosis, but with lower interhemispheric connectivity compensated by increased intrahemispheric connectivity.
Conclusion
The study found that the conservation principle of brain connectivity is preserved in people with multiple sclerosis, with changes in connectivity associated with cognitive decline and disability.
Supporting Evidence
- Both MS patients and healthy individuals exhibit a similar balance between intra- and interhemispheric connectivity.
- As cognitive impairment and disability in MS patients increase, interhemispheric connectivity decreases while intrahemispheric connectivity compensates.
- Lower white matter fraction and higher lesion volume are associated with diminished interhemispheric connectivity.
- Significant correlations were found between structural connectivity measures and cognitive scores.
Takeaway
This study looked at how multiple sclerosis affects the connections in the brain, finding that even with the disease, the brain tries to keep its connections balanced.
Methodology
The study analyzed a multicentric dataset of 514 people with MS and 216 healthy controls, using MRI scans to measure structural connectivity and assess cognitive and physical disability.
Limitations
The study's multicentric design introduced variability in acquisition parameters, which could affect the results despite harmonization efforts.
Participant Demographics
The cohort included 514 people with MS and 216 healthy controls from seven different centers, with varying ages and sex distributions.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website