Reorganization of the sensorimotor cortex in patients with Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms according to functional MRI

Introduction: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) may contribute to cerebrovascular disease via cellular and endothelial pathology leading to impairment at the neurovascular unit (NVU) level. Studies targeting this patient cohort form a neuroscientific viewpoint are scarce. Objective: We aimed at elucidating possible neuroimaging correlates of NVU alterations in MPNs patients. Materials and methods: We initially included 187 patients with MPNs in this study, retaining 39 patients as per eligibility criteria (25.6% males, median age - 43 years), who were matched with a control group of 11 healthy subjects (36.4% males, median age - 41 years). Structural and task-based (motor paradigm) functional MRI were performed in both groups, along with the evaluation of baseline blood parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count), comorbidities (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis) and antiplatelet use: these factors were then used as covariates in statistical analysis. Results: = 0.015) in the MPN group only. Group fMRI data analysis in healthy volunteers showed two main clusters of activation in the left precentral gyrus and right hemisphere of the cerebellum during task execution. Second-level analysis of activation differences between MPN patients and healthy volunteers showed greater activation in the right primary sensorimotor cortex in MPN (Puncorr = 0.014 and