Supplementary motor area connectivity and dual-task walking variability in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Despite the prevalence of dual-task (e.g., walking while talking) deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), no neuroimaging studies to date have examined neuronal networks used for dual-task processing or specific brain areas related to dual-task performance in this population. A better understanding of the relationship among underlying brain areas and dual-task performance may improve targeted rehabilitation programs. The objective of this study was to examine relationships between neuroimaging measures and clinical measures of dual-task performance, and reported falls in persons with MS.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
All participants completed measures of dual-task performance, a fall history, and neuroimaging on a 3 T MRI scanner. Spearman correlations were used to examine relationships among dual-task performance, falls and neuroimaging measures.


RESULTS
Eighteen females with relapsing-remitting MS [mean age = 45.5 ± 8.2 SD; mean symptom duration = 12.3 ± 6.7 years; Expanded Disability Status Scale median 2.25 (range 1.5-4)] participated in this study. Structural imaging measures of supplementary motor area (SMA) interhemispheric connectivity were significantly related to dual-task walking variability.


CONCLUSIONS
The SMA interhemispheric tract may play a role in dual-task performance. Structural neuroimaging may be a useful adjunct to clinical measures to predict performance and provide information about recovery patterns in MS. Functional recovery can be challenging to objectively report in MS; diffusion tensor imaging could show microstructural improvements and suggest improved connectivity.
['Fritz|Nora E|NE|', 'Kloos|Anne D|AD|', 'Kegelmeyer|Deborah A|DA|', 'Kaur|Parminder|P|', 'Nichols-Larsen|Deborah S|DS|']
D000058:Accidental Falls D000328:Adult D003072:Cognition Disorders D004185:Disability Evaluation D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009044:Motor Cortex D009103:Multiple Sclerosis D009483:Neuropsychological Tests D011597:Psychomotor Performance D012720:Severity of Illness Index D016138:Walking
Supplementary motor area Dual-task Walking Multiple sclerosis Neuroimaging