Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 2–3% of the population over the age of 65 with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra impacting the functioning of basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits. The precise role played by the thalamus is unknown, despite its critical role in the functioning of the cerebral cortex, and the abnormal neuronal activity of the structure in PD. Our objective was to more clearly elucidate how functional connectivity and morphology of the thalamus are impacted in PD (n = 32) compared to Controls (n = 20). To investigate functional connectivity of the thalamus we subdivided the structure into two important regions-of-interest, the first with putative connections to the motor cortices and the second with putative connections to prefrontal cortices. We then investigated potential differences in the size and shape of the thalamus in PD, and how morphology and functional connectivity relate to clinical variables. Our data demonstrate that PD is associated with increases in functional connectivity between motor subdivisions of the thalamus and the supplementary motor area, and between prefrontal thalamic subdivisions and nuclei of the basal ganglia, anterior and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, as well as the anterior and paracingulate gyri. These results suggest that PD is associated with increased functional connectivity of subdivisions of the thalamus which may be indicative alterations to basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuitry.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world, affecting 2–3% of the population over the age of 65 [1]
There were no significant differences in age, head size or proportions of males and females in groups, between the PD cohort and Controls
Our data support the findings of a recent meta-analysis showing that PD patients have increased Functional connectivity (FC) of basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuity [57], and extend these findings by showing how important functional subterritories of the thalamus are impacted in PD
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world, affecting 2–3% of the population over the age of 65 [1]. Characteristic motor symptoms of the disorder include resting tremor, rigidity and postural instability. These are accompanied by non-motor symptoms including cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunction, disorders of sleep-wake cycle regulation, sensory disturbances and pain [2]. The neuropathological hallmark of PD is the presence of α-synuclein-immunopositive Lewy bodies and neurites [3]. This neuropathology results in a degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, depletion of dopamine across the striatum [4] and consequent dysfunction of basal ganglia-thalamocortical networks [5, 6]. Dysfunction of basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits is critical as these circuits work in concert with the cortex to mediate a range of cognitive, motor and limbic functions in the brain [8]
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