Cerebello-thalamo-cortical network is intrinsically altered in essential tremor: evidence from a resting state functional MRI study

Valentina Nicoletti,Daniela Frosini,Mirco Cosottini,Roberto Ceravolo,Paolo Cecchi,Ilaria Pesaresi

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73714-9

Abstract

Cerebello-thalamo-cortical network is suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of Essential Tremor (ET). 23 patients with ET and 23 matched HC underwent a 3T-MRI with acquisition of a resting state sequence. Connectivity was investigated using a seed-based regression analyses approach. In ET patients were observed:Reduced connectivity between left primary motor cortex (M1) seed and right premotor cortex and cerebellum and bilateral premotor, parietal areas, supplementary motor area (SMA);Increased connectivity between left somatosensory cortex (S1) seed and parietal areas, M1, premotor cortex, SMA; reduced connectivity of this seed with cerebellum.Increased connectivity of SMA seed with premotor cortex and decreased with parietal and precentral areas;Increased connectivity between left thalamus seed and cerebellum;Reduced connectivity between right cerebellum seeds and other cerebellar areas, precentral and premotor areas.ET showed altered connectivity within the cortical sensory-motor network and between cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The increased connectivity between cerebellum and thalamus is consistent with their crucial role in tremor generation. These findings support the dynamical entrainment of multiple central oscillators throughout the cerebello-thalamo-cortical network in ET. This evidence is strengthened by the finding that this network is altered also when the core symptom is absent.

Highlights

Cerebello-thalamo-cortical network is suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of Essential Tremor (ET). 23 patients with ET and 23 matched healthy controls (HC) underwent a 3T-MRI with acquisition of a resting state sequence
Left M1 seed showed in ET patients with respect to HC reduced functional connectivity (FC) with right precentral gyrus and with bilateral superior and middle frontal gyri, supplementary motor area (SMA), middle cinguli gyrus, postcentral gyrus, superior and inferior parietal gyri and supramarginal gyrus
Beside M1 showed in ET patients bilateral reduced connectivity with precuneus and paracentral lobe without any side-predominance

Summary

Introduction

Cerebello-thalamo-cortical network is suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of Essential Tremor (ET). 23 patients with ET and 23 matched HC underwent a 3T-MRI with acquisition of a resting state sequence. 23 patients with ET and 23 matched HC underwent a 3T-MRI with acquisition of a resting state sequence. Reduced connectivity between left primary motor cortex (M1) seed and right premotor cortex and cerebellum and bilateral premotor, parietal areas, supplementary motor area (SMA);. Increased connectivity between left somatosensory cortex (S1) seed and parietal areas, M1, premotor cortex, SMA; reduced connectivity of this seed with cerebellum. Increased connectivity between left thalamus seed and cerebellum; Reduced connectivity between right cerebellum seeds and other cerebellar areas, precentral and premotor areas. The increased connectivity between cerebellum and thalamus is consistent with their crucial role in tremor generation. These findings support the dynamical entrainment of multiple central oscillators throughout the cerebello-thalamo-cortical network in ET. This evidence is strengthened by the finding that this network is altered when the core symptom is absent

Methods

Results

Conclusion