Assessing brain connectivity at rest is clinically relevant in early multiple sclerosis

Objective: The present study aims to determine the clinical counterpart of brain resting-state networks reorganization recently evidenced in early multiple sclerosis. Methods: Thirteen patients with early relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and 14 matched healthy controls were included in a resting state functional MRI study performed at 3 T. Data were analyzed using group spatial Independent Component Analysis using concatenation approach (FSL 4.1.3) and double regression analyses (SPM5) to extract local and global levels of connectivity inside various resting state networks (RSNs). Differences in global levels of connectivity of each network between patients and controls were assessed using Mann–Whitney U-test. In patients, relationship between clinical data (Expanded Disability Status Scale and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Score – MSFC) and global RSN connectivity were assessed using Spearman rank correlation. Results: Independent component analysis provided eight consistent neuronal networks involved in motor, sensory and cognitive processes. For seven RSNs, the global level of connectivity was significantly increased in patients compared with controls. No significant decrease in RSN connectivity was found in early multiple sclerosis patients. MSFC values were negatively correlated with increased RSN connectivity within the dorsal frontoparietal network ( r = −0.811, p = 0.001), the right ventral frontoparietal network ( r = − 0.587, p = 0.045) and the prefronto-insular network ( r = −0.615, p = 0.033). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that resting state networks reorganization is strongly associated with disability in early multiple sclerosis. These findings suggest that resting state functional MRI may represent a promising surrogate marker of disease burden.