Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
07:11
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) of the Visual Cortex with Wide-View Retinotopic Stimulation
Published on: December 8, 2023
Resting-state functional MRI: functional connectivity analysis of the visual cortex in primary open-angle glaucoma
Hui Dai1, John N Morelli, Fei Ai
1The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Department of Radiology, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
Human Brain Mapping
|March 31, 2012
Summary
Functional connectivity (FC) in the visual cortex is altered in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. These changes impact connections between visual areas and other brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- Visual pathway dysfunction is recognized in POAG, but central nervous system alterations require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional connectivity (FC) of the visual cortex in patients with POAG using resting-state functional MRI.
- To compare FC patterns between POAG patients and age-matched healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) was performed on 22 POAG patients and 22 controls.
- Functional connectivity maps were generated for visual cortex regions (Brodmann areas 17, 18, 19, 7).
- Voxel-wise and region of interest analyses were conducted to assess FC differences.
Main Results:
- Voxel-wise analysis revealed significant differences in FC between the primary visual cortex (BA17) and various cortical and cerebellar regions in POAG patients.
- Altered FC was observed between higher visual areas (BA18/19) and temporal/cerebellar regions.
- Region of interest analysis did not show statistically significant differences in FC between groups.
Conclusions:
- Resting-state functional MRI demonstrates altered functional connectivity within the visual cortex and its connections to other brain areas in POAG.
- These findings suggest that POAG involves disruptions in visual processing networks beyond the eye.
