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Subcortical reorganization in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- Source :
-
Experimental brain research [Exp Brain Res] 2006 Jul; Vol. 172 (3), pp. 361-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Mar 25. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- The cerebral cortex reorganizes in response to central or peripheral lesions. Although basal ganglia and cerebellum are key components of the network dedicated to movement control, their role in motor reorganization remains elusive. We therefore tested if slowly progressive neurodegenerative motor disease alters the subcortical functional anatomy of the basal ganglia-thalamo-cerebellar circuitry. Ten patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and ten healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), while executing a simple finger flexion task. Cued by an acoustic trigger, they squeezed a handgrip force transducer with their right hand at 10% of their maximum voluntary contraction force. Movement frequency, amplitude, and force were controlled. Statistical parametric mapping of task-related BOLD-response revealed increased activation in ALS patients as compared to healthy controls. The main activation increases were found in the supplementary motor area, basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebellum. These findings suggest that degeneration of cortical and spinal motor neurons in ALS leads to a recruitment of subcortical motor structures. These subcortical activation patterns strongly resemble functional activation in motor learning and might therefore represent adaptations of cortico-subcortical motor loops as a - albeit finally ineffective - mechanism to compensate for the ongoing loss of motor neurons in ALS.
- Subjects :
- Acoustic Stimulation
Adult
Aged
Basal Ganglia anatomy & histology
Basal Ganglia physiology
Brain anatomy & histology
Brain Mapping
Brain Stem anatomy & histology
Brain Stem physiology
Cerebellum anatomy & histology
Cerebellum physiology
Cues
Female
Functional Laterality physiology
Hand Strength physiology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Motor Cortex anatomy & histology
Motor Cortex physiology
Neural Pathways anatomy & histology
Adaptation, Physiological physiology
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis physiopathology
Brain physiology
Neural Pathways physiology
Neuronal Plasticity physiology
Recovery of Function physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0014-4819
- Volume :
- 172
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Experimental brain research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16463149
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-006-0352-7