Massimo
Filippi1, Martina Absinta1, Federica Agosta1,
Maria A: Rocca1, Paola Valsasina1, Stefania Sala1,
Nilo Riva2, Alessandro Prelle3, Domenico Caputo4,
Michele Perini5, Raffaella Fazio2, Giancarlo Comi2
1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute
of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and
University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; 2Department of
Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan,
Italy; 3Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Neuroscience,
University of Milan, Milan, Italy; 4Department of Neurology,
Scientific Institute Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milan, Italy; 5Department
of Neurology, Ospedale di Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy
Functional
connectivity within the sensorimotor networks during rest were explored in 19
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Relationship between resting
state (RS) fMRI and corticospinal tract (CST) damage was assessed. ICA
analysis revealed two networks related to the sensorimotor system. ALS
patients had voxels of decreased RS connectivity in the left primary
sensorimotor cortex (SMC). Compared with controls, ALS patients also showed
decreased average percentage RS signal change in several sensorimotor
regions. Decreased RS activity in the SMC correlated with CST damage.
Dysfunction of RS sensorimotor connectivity in ALS is likely to be a response
to a selective CST damage.