Background: The study of the Default Mode Network (DMN) has been shown to be sensitive for the recognition of connectivity patterns between the brain areas involved in this network. It has been hypothesized that the connectivity patterns in this network are related to different cognitive states.
Purpose: In this study, we explored the relationship that can be estimated between these functional connectivity patterns of the DMN with the Quality-of-Life levels in people with Down syndrome, since no relevant data has been provided for this population.
Methods: 22 young people with Down syndrome were evaluated; they were given a large evaluation battery that included the Spanish adaptation of the Personal Outcome Scale (POS). Likewise, fMRI sequences were obtained on a 3T resonator. For each subject, the DMN functional connectivity network was studied by estimating the indicators of complexity networks. The variability obtained in the Down syndrome group was studied by taking into account the Quality-of-Life distribution.
Results: There is a negative correlation between the complexity of the connectivity networks and the Quality-of-Life values.
Conclusions: The results are interpreted as evidence that, even at rest, connectivity levels are detected as already shown in the community population and that less intense connectivity levels correlate with higher levels of Quality of Life in people with Down syndrome.
Keywords: Default Mode Network; Down syndrome; Quality of Life; functional connectivity; resting fMRI.