The association between gray matter (GM) density and neurophysiologic changes is still unclear in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We evaluated the relationship between GM density and motor system integrity combining voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in ALS. We included 17 ALS patients and 22 healthy controls (HC) who underwent 3D-T1-weighted imaging. Among the ALS group, we applied left motor cortex single-pulse TMS. We used whole-brain VBM comparing ALS and HC in GM density. We also conducted regression analysis to examine correlations between GM density and the following TMS parameters: motor evoked potential (MEP)/M ratio and central motor conduction time (CMCT). We found significantly decreased GM density in ALS patients in several frontal, temporal, parietal/occipital and cerebellar regions (p < 0.001 uncorrected; cluster-extent threshold k = 100 voxels per cluster). With regards to TMS parameters, ALS patients showed mostly increased MEP/M ratio and modest prolongation of CMCT. MEP/M ratio was associated with GM density in (a) rolandic operculum/inferior frontal gyrus/precentral gyrus; anterior cingulate gyrus; inferior temporal gyrus; superior parietal lobule; cuneus; superior occipital gyrus and cerebellum (positive association) and (b) paracentral lobule/supplementary motor area (negative association). CMCT was associated with GM density in (a) inferior frontal gyrus and middle cingulated gyrus (positive association) and (b) superior parietal lobule; cuneus and cerebellum (negative association). Our findings support a significant interaction between motor and extra-motor structural and functional changes and highlight that motor and extra-motor GM integrity may underlie TMS parameters of motor function in ALS patients.
Keywords: Action; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Gray matter density; Motor; Transcranial magnetic stimulation; Voxel-based morphometry.