Spinal cord functional networks are generally intact in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) but lesions are associated with focal abnormalities in intrinsic connectivity, according to a recent study in which researchers examined functional connectivity in the spinal cord of patients with MS. Using ultra-high field 7 T imaging along with processing strategies for robust spinal cord functional MRI and lesion identification, they assessed functional connectivity within cervical cord grey matter of patients with RRMS (n=22) compared to a large sample of healthy controls (n=56). Patient anatomical images were rated for lesions by 3 independent raters, with consensus ratings revealing 19 of 22 patients presented with lesions somewhere in the imaged volume. They found:

• Analysis in control subjects demonstrated a robust pattern of connectivity among ventral grey matter regions as well as a distinct network among dorsal regions.
• A gender effect was also observed in controls whereby females demonstrated higher ventral network connectivity.
• No differences were detected in average connectivity or power of low frequency fluctuations in patients compared to controls.
• The presence of lesions was, however, associated with local alterations in connectivity with differential effects depending on columnar location.