Abstract
IntroductionParkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized with reduced dopamine level in the brain, resulting from the nigral degeneration. It is commonly accepted that the function of default mode network (DMN) is disturbed in PD, even in those who have no significant cognitive impairment. However, the relationship between the depletion of dopamine and DMN dysconnectivity is not fully clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the seed-based DMN connectivity and the influence of dopaminergic therapy on the DMN integrity in non-demented PD by using resting-state fMRI. Material and methodsResting-state fMRI data was collected from 24 non-demented PD patients before and after taking levodopa and 36 healthy controls (HCs). Functional connectivity (FC) was examined by a seed-based correlation approach. ResultsCompared with HCs, decreased DMN connectivity in PD patients was observed, a number of which were significantly improved after taking levodopa therapy. Moreover, by directly comparing the DMN connectivity between ON- and OFF-medication conditions, we found significantly enhanced FC in a set of regions of DMN in the ON- medication condition. Conversely, we also found that the PCC revealed decreased FC with left inferior temporal. ConclusionDMN connectivity was found to be impaired in no-demented PD patients, and levodopa has the ability to impart a normalizing effect on DMN connectivity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
