Altered excitation-inhibition balance in the somatomotor and default mode network in multiple sclerosis
Gaia Zin, Guy Nagels, Jeroen Van Schependom, Thanos Manos
medRxiv Preprint Server January 14, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.64898/2026.01.14.26344097 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with multiple sclerosis |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Key findings | A new fMRI-based technique for measuring excitatory/inhibitory balance in multiple sclerosis is presented, filling a gap in existing methods. |
Abstract
Introduction The balance between excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neural processes is a fundamental principle of brain function, and its disruption has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). In vivo assessment of E/I balance has traditionally relied on electrophysiological measures, and despite the abundance of fMRI data on MS, no fMRI-based technique has so far been presented to measure E/I balance in MS.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on default mode network, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A default mode of brain function Normal adult human brain | 2001 | Observational study | |
| Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational cohort | |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Healthy subjects | 2008 | Observational study |