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Subregional structural and connectivity damage in the visual cortex in neuromyelitis optica
Huanhuan Cai1, Jiajia Zhu1, Ningnannan Zhang1
1Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Scientific Reports
|February 4, 2017
Summary
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients show grey matter volume reductions in lower-level visual cortex regions. These structural changes in visual pathways correlate with clinical disability, indicating significant visual impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease targeting the central nervous system.
- Patients with NMO often experience visual disturbances due to optic nerve and brainstem inflammation.
- Previous studies suggest structural and functional deficits in the visual cortex of NMO patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate subregional grey matter volume (GMV) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) alterations in the visual cortex of NMO patients.
- To correlate these neuroimaging findings with clinical disability.
- To understand the impact of structural damage on functional connectivity in NMO.
Main Methods:
- Structural and functional MRI scans were acquired from 37 NMO patients and 42 healthy controls.
- Grey matter volume (GMV) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) were analyzed in various visual subregions.
- Statistical comparisons were made between NMO patients and controls, and correlations with clinical disability were assessed.
Main Results:
- NMO patients exhibited significant GMV reductions in bilateral V1, V2, V3d, VP, and LO, and left V3A compared to controls.
- Lower-level visual subregions showed more pronounced GMV reductions than higher-level ones.
- Reduced rsFC was observed in bilateral LO, V4v, and left V2, irrespective of GMV correction.
- GMV reductions in bilateral V1, LO, and left V2, V3d correlated negatively with clinical disability.
Conclusions:
- The visual cortex, particularly lower-level subregions, is structurally compromised in NMO.
- Structural damage in visual subregions is linked to functional connectivity alterations and clinical disability.
- GMV reduction in low-level visual areas is a strong predictor of clinical severity in NMO.
