Open AccessResting‐state connectivity and modulated somatomotor and default‐mode networks in Huntington disease
Author(s) -
SánchezCastañeda Cristina,
Pasquale Francesco,
Caravasso Chiara Falletta,
Marano Massimo,
Maffi Sabrina,
Migliore Simone,
Sabatini Umberto,
Squitieri Ferdinando
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.12701
Subject(s) - default mode network , functional connectivity , posterior cingulate , resting state fmri , neuroscience , medicine , functional magnetic resonance imaging , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology
Summary Aims To analyze brain functional connectivity in the somatomotor and default‐mode networks (DMNs) of patients with Huntington disease (HD), its relationship with gray matter (GM) volume loss, and functional changes after pridopidine treatment. Methods Ten patients and ten untreated controls underwent T1‐weighted imaging and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); four patients were also assessed after 3 months of pridopidine treatment (90 mg/d). The seed‐based functional connectivity patterns from the posterior cingulate cortex and the supplementary motor area (SMA), considered cortical hubs of the DMN and somatomotor networks, respectively, were computed. FMRIB Software Library voxel‐based morphometry measured GM volume. Results Patients had GM volume decrease in all cortical and subcortical areas of the somatomotor network with preservation of the SMA, and increased somatomotor and DMN connectivity. In DMN structures, functional connectivity impairment preceded volume loss. Pridopidine reduced the intensity of these aberrant connections. Conclusion The abnormal connectivity of the somatomotor and DMN observed in HD patients may represent an early dysfunction marker, as it preceded volume loss in DMN. Pridopidine reduced connectivity of these networks in all four treated patients, suggesting that connectivity is sensitive to treatment response.