Altered Functional Connectivity and Metabolism of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Parkinson’s Disease

Motivation: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) offer complementary insights into brain function and metabolism. Goal(s): To investigate the relationship between changes in brain function and metabolism in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using rs-fMRI and MRS techniques. Approach: The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was selected as the region of interest, and correlations between alterations in brain function and metabolic markers, such as Γ-aminobutyric acid and macromolecules (GABA+), were evaluated. Results: A significant negative correlation was observed between ALFF values and GABA+ levels in the ACC. Impact: Integrating rs-fMRI and MRS in PD research could uncover the bidirectional relationship between functional connectivity and metabolism, enhancing our understanding of future brain dynamics changes.