Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40659932›Full record

ArticleJournal of neurology2025

Brain functional connectivity changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with apathy and depression.

Veronica Castelnovo, Elisa Canu, Silvia Basaia, Edoardo Gioele Spinelli, Fabiola Freri, Paride Schito, Tommaso Russo, Yuri Falzone, Federico Verde, Silvia Torre and 7 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Veronica CastelnovoNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Elisa CanuNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Silvia BasaiaNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Edoardo Gioele SpinelliNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Fabiola FreriNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Paride SchitoNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Tommaso RussoNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Yuri FalzoneNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Federico VerdeDepartment of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Silvia TorreDepartment of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Barbara PolettiDepartment of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Lucio TremolizzoNeurology Unit, "San Gerardo" Hospital and University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
Ildebrando AppollonioNeurology Unit, "San Gerardo" Hospital and University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
Nicola TicozziDepartment of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Vincenzo SilaniDepartment of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Massimo FilippiNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Federica AgostaNeuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. agosta.federica@hsr.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3121-4979

Funding

H2020 European Research Council StG-2016_714388_NeuroTRACKMinistero dell'Università e della Ricerca Investment PE8 - Project Age-It: "Ageing Well in an Ageing Society"
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundApathy and depression are the most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although insufficiently investigated, their distinction holds important clinical relevance for accurate diagnosis of ALS with behavioural impairment and for patients' prognosis and management. In the present study, we aimed to assess both apathy and depressive symptoms in patients with ALS and whether they have similar or different functional neural correlates.

methodsUsing graph analysis and connectomics, global and lobar nodal properties and regional functional brain connectivity were assessed in ALS patients without apathy/depression (ALSn, n = 42), with apathy without depression (ALSa, n = 14), with depressive symptoms without apathy (ALSd, n = 20), and with apathy and depressive symptoms (ALSad, n = 6), and 46 healthy controls. Correlations between brain functional properties, apathy and depressive symptoms were performed in all patients.

resultsDepressive symptoms were related with reduced path length within bilateral basal ganglia (BG) network, and apathy was related with increased path length, decreased nodal strength and local efficiency within left BG network. ALSa patients showed altered functional nodal properties within BG network compared to ALSn and ALSd. Compared to healthy controls and all non-apathetic patients (ALSn and ALSd), all apathetic patients (ALSa and ALSad) exhibited altered functional nodal properties within parietal, occipital and frontal networks. Non-apathetic patients, compared to apathetic patients, showed relatively preserved functional nodal properties in the BG network.

conclusionsOur findings indicate differences in brain functional neural organization associated with apathy and depression, underscoring the importance of distinguishing these symptoms in ALS and highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Indexed as

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisApathyBrainDepressionAgedConnectomeFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedNeural PathwaysAmyotrophic lateral sclerosisApathyDepressionFunctional connectivityGraph analysisResting-state fMRI

Identifiers

PMID40659932
PMCPMC12259760

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.