Structural Brain Network Abnormalities in Parkinson’s Disease With Freezing of Gait

Abstract

ObjectiveDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have investigated white matter (WM) integrity abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, little is known about the topological changes in the brain network. This study aims to reveal these changes by comparing PD without freezing of gait (FOG) (PD FOG–), PD with FOG (PD FOG+), and healthy control (HC).Methods21 PD FOG+, 34 PD FOG-, and 23 HC were recruited, and DTI images were acquired. The graph theoretical analysis and network-based statistical method were used to calculate the topological parameters and assess connections.ResultsPD FOG+ showed a decreased normalized clustering coefficient, small-worldness, clustering coefficient, and increased local network efficiency compared with HCs. PD FOG+ showed decreased centrality, degree centrality, and nodal efficiency in the striatum, frontal gyrus, and supplementary motor area (SMA). PD FOG+ showed decreased connections in the frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, and caudate nucleus (CAU). The between centrality of the left SMA and left CAU was negatively correlated with FOG questionnaire scores.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that PD FOG+ exhibits disruption of global and local topological organization in structural brain networks, and the disrupted topological organization can be potential biomarkers in PD FOG+. These new findings may provide increasing insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of PD FOG+.

Topological disruption of low- and high-order functional networks in presbycusis

“…The temporal lobe is mainly in charge of auditory signals 39 and the caudate nucleus is thought to be associated with executive dysfunction in Parkinson’s patients. 40 The precuneus is thought to be involved in motor, visual and cognitive functions, 41 and studies 14 , 36 have proven that the precuneus can serve as a compensatory node. The compensatory plasticity of these nodes enables them to maintain effective information exchange through the functional network of patients with presbycusis.…”