BackgroundGraph-theoretical analysis is a novel tool to understand the organisation of the brain.ObjectiveAssessing whether altered graph theoretical parameters, as observed in multiple sclerosis (MS), reflect pathology-induced restructuring of the brain's functioning or result from a reduced signal quality in functional MRI (fMRI).MethodsIn a cohort of 49 people with MS and a matched group of 25 healthy subjects (HS), we performed a cognitive evaluation and acquired fMRI. From the fMRI measurement, Pearson correlation-based networks were calculated and graph theoretical parameters reflecting global and local brain organisation were obtained. Additionally, we assessed metrics of scanning quality (signal to noise ratio (SNR)) and fMRI signal quality (temporal SNR and contrast to noise ratio (CNR)).ResultsIn accordance with the literature, the network parameters were altered in MS compared to HS. Furthermore, no significant link was found with cognition. Scanning quality (SNR) did not differ between both cohorts. Yet measures of fMRI signal qualitywere significantly different and fully explained the differences observed in GTA parameters. ConclusionOur results suggest that differences in network parameters between MS and HS in fMRI do not reflect a functional reorganisation of the brain, but rather occur due to reduced fMRI signal quality.
Baijot, J, Denissen, S, Costers, L, Gielen, J, Cambron, M, D'Haeseleer, M, D'Hooghe, M, Vanbinst, A-M, De Mey, J, Van Schependom, J & Nagels, G 2021, 'Signal quality as Achilles’ heel of graph theory in functional magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis', Scientific Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, 7376, pp. 7376. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86792-0
Baijot, J., Denissen, S., Costers, L., Gielen, J., Cambron, M., D'Haeseleer, M., D'Hooghe, M., Vanbinst, A.-M., De Mey, J., Van Schependom, J., & Nagels, G. (2021). Signal quality as Achilles’ heel of graph theory in functional magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 7376. Article 7376. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86792-0
@article{c3fc4c5e51b240c6aad0c2cfd288ca74,
title = "Signal quality as Achilles{\textquoteright} heel of graph theory in functional magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis",
abstract = "BackgroundGraph-theoretical analysis is a novel tool to understand the organisation of the brain.ObjectiveAssessing whether altered graph theoretical parameters, as observed in multiple sclerosis (MS), reflect pathology-induced restructuring of the brain's functioning or result from a reduced signal quality in functional MRI (fMRI).MethodsIn a cohort of 49 people with MS and a matched group of 25 healthy subjects (HS), we performed a cognitive evaluation and acquired fMRI. From the fMRI measurement, Pearson correlation-based networks were calculated and graph theoretical parameters reflecting global and local brain organisation were obtained. Additionally, we assessed metrics of scanning quality (signal to noise ratio (SNR)) and fMRI signal quality (temporal SNR and contrast to noise ratio (CNR)).ResultsIn accordance with the literature, the network parameters were altered in MS compared to HS. Furthermore, no significant link was found with cognition. Scanning quality (SNR) did not differ between both cohorts. Yet measures of fMRI signal qualitywere significantly different and fully explained the differences observed in GTA parameters. ConclusionOur results suggest that differences in network parameters between MS and HS in fMRI do not reflect a functional reorganisation of the brain, but rather occur due to reduced fMRI signal quality.",
keywords = "magnetic resonance imaging",
author = "Johan Baijot and Stijn Denissen and Lars Costers and Jeroen Gielen and Melissa Cambron and Miguel D'Haeseleer and Marie D'Hooghe and Anne-Marie Vanbinst and {De Mey}, Johan and {Van Schependom}, Jeroen and Guy Nagels",
year = "2021",
month = apr,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1038/s41598-021-86792-0",
language = "English",
volume = "11",
pages = "7376",
journal = "Scientific Reports",
issn = "2045-2322",
publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
number = "1",
}