Exploration of resting state networks in human cervical spinal cord

Abstract

Resting state networks in the human cervical spinal cord has only been scarcely explored. In this study, we investigated the resting state network using a clinically relevant 3T whole body MRI scanner from 14 healthy subjects. The correlation coefficient computed from rsfMRI images between each ventral or dorsal horn of different segments was used to generate the correlation matrix. Segments C2 and C6 demonstrated stronger correlations with other segments. Segment C2 has a stronger inter-segment correlation than other segments. Functional connectivity distribution among segments was detected, which demonstrated the neural network in the human cervical spinal cord.