Changes in resting-state fMRI in vestibular neuritis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vestibular System Research
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Vestibular neuritis (VN) is a sudden peripheral vestibular disorder causing dizziness and unsteadiness.
• Compensation involves restoring brainstem reflexes and potentially adjusting cortical vestibular tone for spatial orientation.
• Understanding changes in cerebral resting-state networks is crucial for VN recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in functional interregional connectivity (resting-state networks) in VN patients.
• To determine if these network changes relate to neurophysiological, perceptual, and functional aspects of vestibular disability.

Main Methods:

• Utilized independent component analysis (ICA) to compare resting-state networks.
• Studied 20 unilateral VN patients (acute and 3-month follow-up) and 20 healthy controls.
• Analyzed a specific neural network (component 50) involving parietal lobe, cingulate cortex, and other regions.

Main Results:

• VN patients showed decreased resting-state activity in the contralateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) near the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) during the acute phase.
• This IPS activity increased significantly after 3 months, correlating with improved functional outcomes.
• No significant relationship was found between IPS activity and subjective visual vertical or neurophysiological measures.

Conclusions:

• VN induces reversible changes in resting-state activity within the contralateral IPS, adjacent to the SMG.
• These cortical changes are linked to vestibular compensation over a 3-month period.
• Increased IPS resting-state activity may reflect powerful restitution or compensatory mechanisms, particularly in patients with better functional recovery.