Massimo Filippi1,
Paola Valsasina1, Sara Sala1, 2, Alessandro
Meani1, Andrea Falini3, Giancarlo Comi4,
Maria A. Rocca1
1Neuroimaging
Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific
Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, MI, Italy; 2Department
of Statistics, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, MI, Italy; 3Department
of Neuroradiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San
Raffaele University, Milan, MI, Italy; 4Department of Neurology,
San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,
Milan, MI, Italy
Aim of this study was to analyze graph theoretical properties of functional networks in a large cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Resting state fMRI data were acquired from 246 MS patients (121 relapsing-remitting [RR] MS, 80 secondary progressive [SP] MS, and 45 benign [B] MS) and 55 matched healthy controls. Graph analysis showed a disrupted organization of the brain connectome in MS patients compared with controls. Loss of efficiency and failure of the frontal lobe seem to be associated with a more severe clinical disability.