Structural brain network fingerprints of focal dystonia.

ABSTRACT: Background:Focal dystonias are severe and disabling movement disorders of a still unclear origin. The structural brain networks associated with focal dystonia have not been well characterized. Here, we investigated structural brain network fingerprints in patients with blepharospasm (BSP) compared with those with hemifacial spasm (HFS), and healthy controls (HC). The patients were also examined following treatment with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). Methods:This study included matched groups of 13 BSP patients, 13 HFS patients, and 13 HC. We measured patients using structural-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and after one month BoNT treatment, at time points of maximal and minimal clinical symptom representation, and HC at baseline. Group regional cross-correlation matrices calculated based on grey matter volume were included in graph-based network analysis. We used these to quantify global network measures of segregation and integration, and also looked at local connectivity properties of different brain regions. Results:The networks in patients with BSP were more segregated than in patients with HFS and HC (p?

SUBMITTER: Chirumamilla VC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6859688 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature