Altered functional connectivity in blepharospasm/orofacial dystonia.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Blepharospasm is characterized by involuntary eyelid spasms. It can be associated with perioral dystonia (Meige's syndrome or orofacial dystonia). We aimed at studying resting-state functional brain connectivity in these patients and its potential modulation by therapeutic botulinum toxin injections.

Methods

We performed resting-state functional MRI and a region of interest-based analysis of functional connectivity in 13 patients with blepharospasm/Meige's syndrome in comparison to 13 healthy controls. Patients were studied before and 4 weeks after botulinum toxin treatment. Simultaneous facial electromyography was applied to control for involuntary facial movements.

Results

Before botulinum toxin treatment, patients showed reduced functional connectivity

SUBMITTER: Jochim A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5853618 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature