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European Radiology

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01-09-2015 | Neuro

Altered cortical activation during action observation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a parametric functional MRI study

Authors: Haiqing Li, Yan Chen, Yuxin Li, Bo Yin, Weijun Tang, Xiangrong Yu, Weiyuan Huang, Daoying Geng, Biyun Zhang

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2015

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate functional cerebral abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during action observation.

Methods

Thirty patients with ALS and 30 matched healthy controls underwent fMRI with an experimental paradigm while observing a video of repetitive flexion-extension of the fingers at three frequency levels or three complexity levels, alternated with periods of a static hand. A parametric analysis was applied to determine the effects of each of the two factors.

Results

Action observation activated similar neural networks as the research on execution of action in the ALS patients and healthy subjects in several brain regions related to the mirror-neuron system (MNS). In the ALS patients, in particular, the dorsal lateral premotor cortex (dPMC), inferior parietal gyrus (IPG), and SMA, were more activated compared with the activation in the controls. Increased activation within the primary motor cortex (M1), dPMC, inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and superior parietal gyrus (SPG) mainly correlated with hand movement frequency/complexity in the videos in the patients compared with controls.

Conclusions

The findings indicated an ongoing compensatory process occurring within the higher order motor-processing system of ALS patients, likely to overcome the loss of function.

Key Points

• Action observation activated similar core nodes of MNS in ALS and controls.

• Increased activation within M1, dPMC, IFG and SPG mainly correlated with hand movement frequency/complexity.

• Differences in patients and controls may be due to compensatory processes in ALS.

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Title: Altered cortical activation during action observation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a parametric functional MRI study
Authors: Haiqing Li
Yan Chen
Yuxin Li
Bo Yin
Weijun Tang
Xiangrong Yu
Weiyuan Huang
Daoying Geng
Biyun Zhang
Publication date: 01-09-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 9/2015
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3671-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Altered cortical activation during action observation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a parametric functional MRI study

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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