TY - JOUR T1 - Progressive changes in a recognition memory network in Parkinson's disease JF - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry SP - 370 LP - 378 DO - 10.1136/jnnp-2012-302822 VL - 84 IS - 4 AU - Bàrbara Segura AU - Naroa Ibarretxe-Bilbao AU - Roser Sala-Llonch AU - Hugo Cesar Baggio AU - María Jose Martí AU - Francesc Valldeoriola AU - Pere Vendrell AU - Nuria Bargalló AU - Eduard Tolosa AU - Carme Junqué Y1 - 2013/04/01 UR - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/84/4/370.abstract N2 - Background In a previous functional MRI (fMRI) study, we found that patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) presented with dysfunctions in the recruitment of recognition memory networks. We aimed to investigate the changes in these networks over time. Methods We studied 17 PD patients and 13 age and sex matched healthy subjects. In both groups fMRI (recognition memory paradigm) and neuropsychological assessments were obtained at baseline and at follow-up. To analyse changes over time in functional networks, model free (independent component analysis) analyses of the fMRI data were carried out. Then, a cross correlation approach was used to assess the changes in the strength of functional connectivity. Results At follow-up, patients showed reduced recruitment of one network, including decreased activation in the orbitofrontal cortices, middle frontal gyri, frontal poles, anterior paracingulate cortex, superior parietal lobes and left middle temporal gyrus, as well as decreased deactivation in the anterior paracingulate gyrus and precuneus. Cross correlation analyses over time showed a decrease in the strength of functional connectivity between the middle frontal gyrus and the superior parietal lobe in PD patients. Conclusions Model free fMRI and cross correlation connectivity analyses were able to detect progressive changes in functional networks involved in recognition memory in PD patients at early disease stages and without overt clinical deterioration. Functional connectivity analyses could be useful to monitor changes in brain networks underlying neuropsychological deficits in PD. ER -