title: Physical activity associated with increased resting-state functional connectivity in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, resulting in physical, cognitive and affective disturbances, with notable declines in the ability to learn and retain new information. In this study, we examined if higher levels of physical activity in MS individuals were associated with an increased resting-state connectivity of the hippocampus and cortex, resulting in better performance on a task of episodic memory. Forty-five individuals with a clinically definite diagnosis of MS were recruited for the study. Consistent with previous reports, hippocampus was functionally connected to the posteromedial cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and the medial frontal cortex. Higher levels of physical activity in MS patients were associated with an increased coherence between the hippocampus and the posteromedial cortex (PMC). The increased connectivity between these two regions, in turn, was predictive of better relational memory, such that MS patients who showed an increased coherence between the left (not right) hippocampus and the PMC also showed better relational memory. Results of the study are interpreted in light of the challenge of disentangling effects of physical activity from effects of disease severity and its neuropathological correlates.
authors: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. prakash.30@osu.edu
authors: Ruchika Shaurya
authors: RS
authors: Prakash
authors: Beth
authors: B
authors: Patterson
authors: Alisha
authors: A
authors: Janssen
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Abduljalil
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Boster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012146:Rest; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen