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Abstract #4462

Evidence for a Decreased Activity of the Resting State Motor Network in Patients with ALS

Massimo Filippi1, Martina Absinta1, Federica Agosta1, Maria A: Rocca1, Paola Valsasina1, Stefania Sala1, Nilo Riva2, Alessandro Prelle3, Domenico Caputo4, Michele Perini5, Raffaella Fazio2, Giancarlo Comi2

1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; 2Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute and University Hospital San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; 3Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Neuroscience, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; 4Department of Neurology, Scientific Institute Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milan, Italy; 5Department of Neurology, Ospedale di Gallarate, Gallarate, Italy


Functional connectivity within the sensorimotor networks during rest were explored in 19 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Relationship between resting state (RS) fMRI and corticospinal tract (CST) damage was assessed. ICA analysis revealed two networks related to the sensorimotor system. ALS patients had voxels of decreased RS connectivity in the left primary sensorimotor cortex (SMC). Compared with controls, ALS patients also showed decreased average percentage RS signal change in several sensorimotor regions. Decreased RS activity in the SMC correlated with CST damage. Dysfunction of RS sensorimotor connectivity in ALS is likely to be a response to a selective CST damage.