Differences in local functional connectivity strength in patients with early and late multiple sclerosis

Motivation: Disease progression is variable in multiple sclerosis (MS). Widely-used measures of neuropathology do not show a straightforward relationship to functional decline. Goal(s): Our work aims to identify changes in brain function that are related to MS disease progression. Approach: We measured resting state functional connectivity MRI at 7 tesla in 71 adults with MS. We compared cortical grey matter regional homogeneity (ReHo) in participants with early and late stage MS and correlated ReHo with MS disease severity. Results: Local connectivity, measured by ReHo, was stronger in early MS and was related to disease severity. Impact: MRI-based measures that track and predict MS disease progression could identify patients who subsequently decline and serve as outcome measures in clinical trials of novel disease modifying treatments.