Characterisation of meta-analytical functional connectivity in progressive supranuclear palsy

Aim: To characterise the meta-analytical functional connectivity patterns in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and compare them to idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD).

Materials and methods: It was previously reported that PSP and IPD showed distinct regions of brain atrophy based on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) meta-analysis. Using these regions as seeds, healthy control data were referenced to create and statistically compare meta-analytical functional connectivity maps of PSP and IPD.

Results: Some overlap was noted between the two diseases, including within the thalamus, striatum, and prefrontal cortex; however, the PSP seeds demonstrated more extensive functional co-activity throughout the brain, particularly within the midbrain, precentral gyrus, parietal cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum.

Conclusion: These findings may help guide future longitudinal studies in the development of new functional imaging biomarkers for diagnosis and assessing treatment response.