Altered cerebellar functional network topology in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3

Motivation: Functional network changes of the cerebellum in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) have been scarcely assessed. Goal(s): To investigate the functional topological characteristics of cerebellar network connectivity and modular changes in SCA3. Approach: Graph theoretical method were used in this study to provide quantified topological organization and modular analyses of functional cerebellar networks. Results: The small-world organization of the cerebellum was spared in patients with SCA3. Compared with healthy controls, increased inter-modular connectivity between frontoparietal network and dorsal somatomotor network and decreased intra-modular connectivity in cerebellar default mode network were shown in SCA3 patients. Impact: This study displays the functional cerebellar topological network in SCA3. The abnormalities of cerebellar modular connectivity support SCA3 as a network disorder, which further enhance the interpretation of SCA3 from the perspective of neuroimaging.