Thread by @Mennoke

Excited to share our new review out now in @eic_nic! The #network collapse in #MultipleSclerosis: An overview of novel concepts to address disease dynamics. With @BroedersTommy and @JeroenJGGeurts. @MScentrum020 @AmsNeuroscience doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl… | a thread 👇 (1/8)

In our previous review, we hypothesized that specific patterns of structural disconnection lead to less efficient network wiring. After passing a critical threshold of efficiency loss, the network “collapses” and clinical progression accelerates. See doi.org/10.3389/fneur.… (2/8)

In this review, we focus on novel network concepts and how these relate to the network collapse. As MS progresses, the structural network becomes overly segregated and disintegrated, both crucial aspects of normal networks. Functionally, integration seems largely preserved. (3/8)

This might be due to how the functional network is adapted in response to damage, i.e. functional reorganization. Communication is redirected to highly-connected regions (hubs), which also overloads these areas. The entire network and DMN/FPN subnetworks then become rigid. (4/8)

Key evolving concepts on altered structure-function relationships are now crucial to study further. For instance, new methods now allow the study of dynamic functional network reconfiguration and network states in relation to atrophy and structural disconnection. (5/8)

These future insights could then enable a clear definition and prediction of specific milestone (network) events as patients progress towards a network collapse, using longitudinal observations and computational models. (6/8)

Thus: The network collapse does not “simply” encompass a loss of efficiency, but involves complex static and dynamic functional reorganizations and a hub overload. We need to push the field to develop these network concepts further to better grasp disease progression in MS. (7/8)

Thank you for reading! A lot of important work has shaped the network collapse hypothesis over recent years. The new concepts we have outlined will hopefully continue to influence the field further. Interested to know more? Find our review here: doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl… (8/8)