Functional connectivity MRI of the subthalamic nucleus in parkinson's disease

Abstract

Objectives To investigate MRI patterns of functional connectivity(FC)in different brain areas of the subthalamic nucleus(STN)in Parkinson’s Disease(PD)and its correlation with cognition. Methods We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the difference in whole-brain resting-state FC of STN between 32 patients with PD during the medication-ON state and 25 healthy control group(HC)matched for age, gender, and cognition, and examine the correlation between functional connectivity strength and montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)scores. Results Compared with HC, the PD group showed increased FC in the right lingual gyrus of the left STN and the right STN showed decreased FC in the left superior frontal gyrus and the supplementary motor area(t=4.29, -3.61, and -3.83, respectively, each P<0.05), while the right STN showed only decreased FC in the right bilateral cingulate gyrus and the precuneus(t=-4.44, 4.29, and -4.30, respectively, each P<0.05). In addition, PD patients’connectivity strength between RSTN and the bilateral precuneus was positively correlated with MoCA scores(t=0.58 and 0.57, respectively, each P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with HC, PD patients exhibit decreased FC between RSTN and the precuneus, with FC strength positively correlated with MOCA scores.The cognitive decline caused by deep brain stimulation in STN may be related to injuries of the precuneus. Key words: Parkinson disease; Subthalamic nucleus; Magnetic resonance imaging