Early Adaptation in Resting State Networks in Multiple Sclerosis Is Found Using Independent Component Analysis and Dual Regression

Stefan D. Roosendaal¹, Menno M. Schoonheim¹, Hanneke E. Hulst¹, Ernesto Sanz-Arigita¹, Stephen M. Smith², Jeroen J.G. Geurts¹, Frederik Barkhof¹

We questioned whether functional changes can be found in rest in the early phase of MS. Resting state fMRI networks were compared between 14 patients with symptoms suggestive of MS (clinically isolated syndrome; CIS), 31 relapsing remitting (RR) MS patients and 41 healthy controls using independent component analysis and dual regression. CIS patients showed increased co activation in six of the eight networks found. No significant resting state network differences were found between RR patients and controls. Network-specific resting state changes can be already found in CIS, and are lost in MS patients with increasing brain damage and advancing disability.