title: Adaptive cortical changes and the functional correlates of visuo-motor integration in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Cortical reorganization has been demonstrated during performance of a motor task in patients with multiple sclerosis. Converging evidence suggests that changes in gray matter volume represent an early hallmark of the disease. We used functional MRI to investigate the role of cortical adaptive mechanisms in maintaining visuo-motor function in the face of structural damage. Two cohorts of patients with clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were compared with healthy controls matched for demographic, motor and cognitive characteristics during the performance of a visuo-motor integration task. Direct comparison between the two groups demonstrated a greater response of the contralateral dorsal premotor cortex and of the ipsilateral superior parietal cortex in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients. The functional MRI changes in these areas were strongly correlated with decreased gray matter volumes and increased lesion burden, respectively. Our study demonstrated a selective involvement of the parieto-premotor circuitry in a relatively early stage of the disease, which was not influenced by clinical, motor or cognitive variables. Moreover these results confirm the potential for functional recovery and the adaptive role of these areas in the motor reorganization of multiple sclerosis patients.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurological Sciences, National Research Council, Piano Lago di Mangone, Cosenza 87050, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerasa
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fera
authors.forename: Maria Cecilia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liguori
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passamonti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicoletti
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vercillo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paolillo
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clodomiro
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quattrone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen