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
The study discusses the importance of the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural processes in brain function and how its disruption is related to multiple sclerosis (MS). While traditional assessments have used electrophysiological measures, there has not been an fMRI-based method developed to evaluate this balance in MS patients. This highlights a gap in current research regarding the neural mechanisms involved in MS.
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.