Distinct Dynamic Functional Connectivity Patterns in Tremor-Dominant and Gait Disturbance Subtypes of Parkinson’s Disease

Motivation: Understanding the neural mechanisms of tremor-dominant (TD) and postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD) subtypes in Parkinson's disease is essential, however previous studies often overlooked the dynamic fluctuations of functional connectivity (dFC). Goal(s): This study aims to analyze the differences in dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) temporal features between PD-TD and PD-PIGD patients and evaluate their diagnostic potential. Approach: The fMRI was performed on 32 PD-TD and 38 PD-PIGD patients. Dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) was analyzed using a sliding-window method and K-means clustering. Results: Significant differences in dFC metrics were observed, suggesting potential implications for subtype differentiation, however, the diagnostic accuracy remained moderate. Impact: These findings may inform personalized treatment strategies and promote further inquiries into neural connectivity variations in Parkinson's disease subtypes.