EEG biomarkers of microstructural damage in normal-appearing white matter among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A DTI-EEG combined study

Seventeen of the 20 main WM tracts were found to have microstructural damage in pwNMOSD. The functional connectivity indices were significantly and positively correlated with the FA of WM tracts in pwNMOSD, especially the coherence and phase locking value strengths in the theta and gamma frequency bands (r=0.40-0.61). Different patterns between the rs-EEG indices in different frequency bands and the integrity of WM tracts were revealed. These identified rs-EEG indices were significantly related to patients' disease characteristics (number of attacks (r=-0.44), expanded disability status scale score (r=-0.41--0.47), serum anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein level (r=-0.43)) and cognitive functions (symbol digit modality test score, r=0.46).