Changes of resting state brain networks in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective: The defining feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is degeneration of both, upper and lower motor neurons, but extramotor involvement, evidenced, for example, by executive dysfunction, has also been demonstrated. Methods: Here we employed a novel functional imaging approach, the analysis of resting state activity, followed by the definition of functionally connected brain networks by independent component analysis (ICA) to assess differences between ALS patients (n=20) and healthy controls (n=22). Results: ICA analysis revealed 5 typical brain networks among which two, the so-called default mode ne…