Objective: This study aimed to analyze the impact of physical activity practice among PD patients thought resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

Background: The physiopathology of Parkinson’s Disease isn’t completely understood, but recent evidence demonstrates that symptoms can be managed through pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Physical activity has become a valuable tool to attenuate motor and non-motor symptoms. Considering the variability of symptoms and the still unclear etiology of PD, MRI-based studies are essential to understanding the mechanisms underlying the disease.

Method: We included 61 patients and divided them into two groups: active and non-active. The active group was further divided into active-walk and active-other. All patients underwent the same MRI protocol and were assessed by clinical scales and a complete neurological evaluation. EPI sequences were performed to assess functional alterations in the default mode network, right and left executive networks and sensory-motor network between active and non-active patients.

Results: Patient’s charachteristics are described in table 1. [Table 1]. Inter and intranetwork alterations were found, and changes were observed in all comparisons performed, demonstrating that physical activity does promote brain changes [Figure 1] [Figure 2] [Figure 3]. One interesting finding was that functional connectivity was also different between patients who walked, as an activity and patients who performed other kinds of activities [FIgure 4].

Conclusion: Although this was a cross-sectional study, we demonstrated altered functional connectivity between active and non-active patients, and this could enlighten the path to find the adequate dosage, intensity and type of physical activity to improve Parkinson’s symptoms.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/does-physical-activity-impact-resting-state-functional-connectivity-in-parkinson-disease-patients/