We analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging data on connectivity changes due to deep-brain stimulation in 13 patients with Parkinson’s disease who were examined in a resting state. To identify hubs most essentially related to deep-brain stimulation, we applied graph-theory approaches, namely the data-driven approach known as eigenvector centrality mapping.
Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus increased connectivity in the premotor hub. Higher connectivity was associated with lower scores on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, indicating clinical effects of connectivity changes.