Introduction: In multiple system atrophy (MSA), the organization of the functional brain connectivity within cortical and subcortical networks and its clinical correlates remains to be investigated.
Methods: Whole-brain based 'resting-state' fMRI data were obtained from 22 MSA patients (11 MSA-C, 11 MSA-P) and 22 matched healthy controls, together with standardized clinical assessment and video-oculographic recordings (EyeLink®).
Results: MSA patients vs. controls showed significantly higher ponto-cerebellar functional connectivity and lower default mode network connectivity (p < .05, corrected). No differences were observed in the motor network and in the control network. The higher the ponto-cerebellar network functional connectivity was, the more pronounced was smooth pursuit impairment.
Conclusion: This functional connectivity analysis supports a network-dependent combination of hyper- and hypoconnectivity states in MSA, in agreement with adaptive compensatory responses (hyperconnectivity) and a function disconnection syndrome (hypoconnectivity) that may occur in a consecutive sequence.
Keywords: Atypical parkinsonian syndrome; Intrinsic functional connectivity; Magnetic resonance imaging; Multiple system atrophy; Resting-state.
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