title: Modifications of resting state networks in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the integrity of the Resting State Networks in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) and the correlations between the modification of these networks and clinical variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) data from 19 SCA2 patients and 29 healthy controls were analyzed using an independent component analysis and dual regression, controlling at voxel level for the effect of atrophy by co-varying for gray matter volume. Correlations between the resting state networks alterations and disease duration, age at onset, number of triplets, and clinical score were assessed by Spearman's coefficient, for each cluster which was significantly different in SCA2 patients compared with healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In SCA2 patients, disruption of the cerebellar components of all major resting state networks was present, with supratentorial involvement only for the default mode network. When controlling at voxel level for gray matter volume, the reduction in functional connectivity in supratentorial regions of the default mode network, and in cerebellar regions within the default mode, executive and right fronto-parietal networks, was still significant. No correlations with clinical variables were found for any of the investigated resting state networks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SCA2 patients show significant alterations of the resting state networks, only partly explained by the atrophy. The default mode network is the only resting state network that shows also supratentorial changes, which appear unrelated to the cortical gray matter volume. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of these changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sirio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cocozza
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saccà
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cervo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marsili
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia Valeria
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara Maria Delle Acque
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Giorgio
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Michele
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filla
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.affiliation: Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarantelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012146:Rest; D020754:Spinocerebellar Ataxias / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: default mode network; functional MRI; independent component analysis; resting state networks; spinocerebellar ataxia