Alterations in Cortical Sensorimotor Connectivity following Complete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Resting-State fMRI Study

PLOS ONE, 2016 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150351 · Published: March 8, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Neuroimaging Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study used resting-state fMRI to investigate how spinal cord injury (SCI) affects brain activity. Researchers scanned patients with complete cervical SCI and compared their brain activity to healthy controls. The goal was to understand how the brain reorganizes itself after SCI. The study found that SCI patients had decreased connectivity in motor and sensory areas of the brain compared to controls. This means that the communication between these areas was reduced after the injury. Additionally, one area showed increased connectivity with the thalamus. These changes suggest that the brain undergoes dynamic reorganization after SCI, even in the later stages. This neural plasticity, or ability to change, may help explain how the brain adapts to the loss of function caused by SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

11 patients with complete cervical SCI and 9 age-matched controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
SCI patients showed decreased functional connectivity in motor and sensory cortical regions compared to controls, including ipsilateral, contralateral, and interhemispheric regions for left and right precentral ROIs.
2
The left postcentral ROI demonstrated increased connectivity with the thalamus bilaterally in SCI patients, suggesting potential overcompensation.
3
Cortical activation patterns in the sensorimotor network undergo dynamic reorganization following SCI, indicating inherent neural plasticity within the central nervous system.

Research Summary

This study used resting-state fMRI to investigate changes in cortical sensorimotor connectivity following complete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Eleven patients with chronic cervical SCI and nine age-matched controls were scanned, and their data was analyzed using region of interest (ROI) based analysis. The results indicated decreased functional connectivity in motor and sensory cortical regions in SCI patients compared to controls. Additionally, the left postcentral ROI demonstrated increased connectivity with the thalamus bilaterally in SCI patients. The study concludes that cortical activation patterns in the sensorimotor network undergo dynamic reorganization following SCI. This suggests the potential of rs-fMRI for studying neuroplasticity in the brain subsequent to injuries to distal elements of the central nervous system.

Practical Implications

Understanding Neural Plasticity

The study provides insights into how the brain reorganizes itself after SCI, highlighting the importance of neural plasticity in adapting to loss of function.

Potential for Rehabilitation Strategies

The findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing or modulating brain connectivity could be beneficial in promoting recovery after SCI.

Diagnostic Tool

Resting-state fMRI can be used as a tool to visualize changes in brain connectivity following SCI, which can help in understanding the extent of neural reorganization.

Study Limitations

1
The study is constrained by the relatively few number of subjects in both groups.
2
The present analysis was limited to cervical cases but comparing a larger dataset of SCI patients across different levels with varying ASIA grades would help to better understand the effect of these variables.
3
This study did not account for neuropathic pain experienced by SCI patients.

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