Binder T, Hobert MA, Pfrommer T, et al. - Individuals with multiple risk factors for Parkinson disease (PD) were investigated for the functional connectivity of the putamina in a resting-state functional MRI analysis, which is considered a high risk for the PD (HRPD) group. Further, a comparison was performed with PD patients and controls.

• Researchers acquired resting state echo planar images and anatomical T1-weighted images from 16 PD patients, 20 healthy controls and 20 HRPD individuals using a Siemens Prisma 3 Tesla scanner.

• Analysis revealed increased putaminal functional connectivity in resting-state fMRI from individuals with multiple risk factors for PD show.

• There was higher putaminal connectivity to brain regions involved in execution of motion and coordination (cerebellum, vermis, pre- and postcentral gyrus, supplementary motor area) as well as the planning of movement (precuneus, cuneus, superior medial frontal lobe).

• Possibly, a compensatory mechanism is portrayed by increased putaminal connectivity.

• Late clinical onset and detection of PD is due to active compensatory mechanisms that allow smooth motion planning despite ongoing pathology.