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- Title
Increased structural white and grey matter network connectivity compensates for functional decline in early multiple sclerosis.
- Authors
Fleischer, Vinzenz; Gröger, Adriane; Koirala, Nabin; Droby, Amgad; Muthuraman, Muthuraman; Kolber, Pierre; Reuter, Eva; Zipp, Frauke; Groppa, Sergiu; Meuth, Sven G.
- Abstract
Background: The pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) consists of demyelination and neuronal injury, which occur early in the disease; yet, remission phases indicate repair. Whether and how the central nervous system (CNS) maintains homeostasis to counteract clinical impairment is not known. Objective: We analyse the structural connectivity of white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) networks to understand the absence of clinical decline as the disease progresses. Methods: A total of 138 relapsing–remitting MS patients (classified into six groups by disease duration) and 32 healthy controls were investigated using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Networks were analysed using graph theoretical approaches based on connectivity patterns derived from diffusion-tensor imaging with probabilistic tractography for WM and voxel-based morphometry and regional-volume-correlation matrix for GM. Results: In the first year after disease onset, WM networks evolved to a structure of increased modularity, strengthened local connectivity and increased local clustering while no clinical decline occurred. GM networks showed a similar dynamic of increasing modularity. This modified connectivity pattern mainly involved the cerebellum, cingulum and temporo-parietal regions. Clinical impairment was associated at later disease stages with a divergence of the network patterns. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that network functionality in MS is maintained through structural adaptation towards increased local and modular connectivity, patterns linked to adaptability and homeostasis.
- Subjects
MULTIPLE sclerosis diagnosis; MULTIPLE sclerosis treatment; GRAY matter (Nerve tissue); WHITE matter (Nerve tissue); CENTRAL nervous system diseases; MAGNETIC resonance imaging
- Publication
Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 2017, Vol 23, Issue 3, p432
- ISSN
1352-4585
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/1352458516651503