Altered excitation-inhibition balance in the somatomotor and default mode network in multiple sclerosis
Gaia Zin, Guy Nagels, Jeroen Van Schependom, Thanos Manos
medRxiv Preprint Server January 14, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.64898/2026.01.14.26344097 via medRxiv
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDisruption of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural processes is thought to play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS), but no fMRI-based method has been available to measure this balance in MS. This paper introduces a novel fMRI technique for assessing E/I balance in people with MS, addressing a gap left by traditional electrophysiological measures.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with multiple sclerosis |
| Key finding | A new fMRI-based technique for measuring excitatory/inhibitory balance in multiple sclerosis is presented, filling a gap in existing methods. |
Abstract
Introduction The balance between excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neural processes is a fundamental principle of brain function, and its disruption has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). In vivo assessment of E/I balance has traditionally relied on electrophysiological measures, and despite the abundance of fMRI data on MS, no fMRI-based technique has so far been presented to measure E/I balance in MS.