Multiparametric Characterization of Surface-Based Morphological Brain Networks in Middle- to Late-Stage Parkinson's Disease

As the structural basis of functional networks, the topological organization of morphological brain networks in the surface space has not been explored in more advanced stages of PD. We constructed individual morphological networks by estimating interregional similarity distribution in different cortical surface-based indices from structural MRI of PD patients and healthy controls (HCs). Graph theoretical analysis was performed to detect PD-related alterations. Compared with HCs, PD patients showed lower local efficiency and clustering coefficient for gyrification index-based morphological brain networks. These findings extend our understanding of the neurobiology of network dysfunction in middle- to late-stage PD.