Open Access: The Effect of Neurorehabilitation on Multiple Sclerosis-Unlocking the Resting-State fMRI Data
Abstrakt
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a severe neurological condition, the incidence of which is growing on a global scale, reporting over 2.2 million cases worldwide in 2016 (Wallin et al., 2019). The symptoms associated with the disease vary and include gait and postural control changes, problems with vision, sensory symptoms, cognitive decline, depression, and others (Kister et al., 2013).
Despite the seriousness of the condition, its' relative rareness and heterogeneity obstructs the neuroimaging research that could identify brain-dependent patterns that play a role in the disease's progression. It has been shown that acute relapse or chronic insult in people with MS may stimulate brain plasticity mechanisms-the intrinsic cascades of the brain to functionally and structurally reorganize itself in response to external stimuli.
However, a gradual failure of these processes to manage the increasing structural and functional changes caused by demyelination may eventually lead to impairment (Pascual-Leone et al., 2005; Prosperini et al., 2015). It has been hypothesized that by supporting the brain plasticity mechanisms via regular cognitive and motoric exercise, the progression of the disease might be slowed down.
The positive effect of neurorehabilitation on brain activity has already been studied to some degree. Rasova et al. reported an increased correlation of fMRI activity among hemispheres following 2 months of eclectic rehabilitative therapy.