Brainstem-cortex disconnection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: bulbar impairment, genotype associations, asymptomatic changes and biomarker opportunities.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bulbar dysfunction is a cardinal feature of ALS with important quality of life and management implications. The objective of this study is the longitudinal evaluation of a large panel imaging metrics pertaining to bulbar dysfunction, encompassing cortical measures, structural and functional cortico-medullary connectivity indices and brainstem metrics.

Methods

A standardised, multimodal imaging protocol was implemented with clinical and genetic profiling to systematically appraise the biomarker potential of specific metrics. A total of 198 patients with ALS and 108 healthy controls were included.

Results

Longitudinal analyses revealed progressive structural and functional disconnection between the motor cortex and the brainstem over time. Cortical thickness

SUBMITTER: Tahedl M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10267265 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature