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01-10-2018 | Original Communication

Cerebellum and cognition in progressive MS patients: functional changes beyond atrophy?

Authors: Sirio Cocozza, Giuseppe Pontillo, Camilla Russo, Cinzia Valeria Russo, Teresa Costabile, Alessio Pepe, Enrico Tedeschi, Roberta Lanzillo, Vincenzo Brescia Morra, Arturo Brunetti, Matilde Inglese, Maria Petracca

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 10/2018

Abstract

Background

The cerebellum is a predilection site of pathology in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) patients, contributing to cognitive deficits. Aim of this study was to investigate lobular cerebellar functional connectivity (FC) in PMS patients in relation to cognition.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, resting state fMRI analysis was carried out on 29 PMS patients (11 males, mean age 51.2 ± 11.9 years) and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) (11 males, mean age 49.6 ± 8.8 years). Data were analyzed with a seed-based approach, with four different seeds placed at the level of cerebellar Lobule VI, Crus I, Crus II and Lobule VIIb, accounting for cerebellar structural damage. Cognitive status was assessed with the BICAMS battery. Correlations between fMRI data and clinical variables were probed with the Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results

When testing FC differences between PMS and HC without taking into account cerebellar structural damage, PMS patients showed a reduction of FC between Crus II/Lobule VIIb and the right frontal pole (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), with an increased FC between Lobule VIIb and the right precentral gyrus (p < 0.001). After controlling for structural damage, PMS patients still showed a reduced FC between Crus II and right frontal pole (p = 0.005), as well as an increased FC between Lobule VIIb and right precentral gyrus (p = 0.003), with the latter showing an inverse correlation with BVMT scores (r = − 0.393; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

PMS patients show cerebellar FC rearrangements that are partially independent from cerebellar structural damage, and are likely expression of a maladaptive functional rewiring.

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Title: Cerebellum and cognition in progressive MS patients: functional changes beyond atrophy?
Authors: Sirio Cocozza
Giuseppe Pontillo
Camilla Russo
Cinzia Valeria Russo
Teresa Costabile
Alessio Pepe
Enrico Tedeschi
Roberta Lanzillo
Vincenzo Brescia Morra
Arturo Brunetti
Matilde Inglese
Maria Petracca
Publication date: 01-10-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 10/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8985-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Cerebellum and cognition in progressive MS patients: functional changes beyond atrophy?

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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