Abnormal activity of default mode network in GERD patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Central nervous system processing of esophageal sensation is implicated in GERD.
• The default mode network's role in GERD pathogenesis is understudied.
• Research often focuses on task-related networks, neglecting the default mode network.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare baseline brain activity in the default mode network between GERD patients and healthy subjects.
• To investigate potential abnormalities in default mode network activity in GERD.
• To explore the role of the default mode network in GERD symptom generation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation to assess resting-state brain activity.
• Employed SPM5 for group-level analyses, including one-sample and independent-samples t-tests.
• Applied statistical thresholds for significance (p<0.001, cluster level>42, corrected P<0.05 within groups; p<0.01, cluster level>90, corrected P<0.05 between groups).

Main Results:

• Default mode network regions, including medial superior frontal gyrus and precuneus, showed predominant activity in both GERD patients and healthy subjects.
• GERD patients demonstrated significantly lower activity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus compared to healthy subjects.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal default mode network activity, specifically reduced activity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus, is observed in GERD patients.
• These findings suggest that altered default mode network function may play a role in the pathophysiology of GERD symptom generation.