Abstract
Background In multisystem atrophy (MSA), the functional brain connectivity within cortical and subcortical networks and its clinical correlates is a challenging topic of research. Objective Assessment of functional brain connectivity alterations in MSA. Methods Whole-brain based ‘intrinsic functional connectivity’ MRI data were obtained from 22 MSA patients and 22 matched healthy controls, together with standardized clinical assessment and video-oculographic recordings (EyeLink®). Results MSA patients vs. controls showed significantly increased ponto-cerebellar functional connectivity and decreased default mode network connectivity ( p 0.05 , corrected). No differences were observed in the motor network. Saccadized smooth pursuit significantly correlated with increased functional ponto-cerebellar connectivity ( p 0.05 , corrected). Conclusion This intrinsic 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) ( Gorges et al., 2017 ) that may occur in a consecutive sequence.
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