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Three-Dimensional Phase Resolved Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Brain functional connectivity in lung cancer population: an exploratory study
M Simó1,2, X Rifà-Ros1,3, L Vaquero1
1Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
Brain Imaging and Behavior
|March 15, 2017
Summary
Lung cancer and chemotherapy disrupt brain connectivity. Resting State Networks (RSNs) show decreased Default Mode Network (DMN) connectivity and increased connectivity in other networks, potentially as a compensatory mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cancer and its treatments, like chemotherapy, can impact cognitive function.
- Understanding the neural underpinnings of these cognitive changes is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional connectivity differences in Resting State Networks (RSNs) in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- To identify specific RSNs affected by cancer and chemotherapy using Independent Component Analysis (ICA).
Main Methods:
- Utilized ICA to analyze functional connectivity in three groups: lung cancer patients post-chemotherapy (C+), pre-chemotherapy (C-), and healthy controls (HC).
- Employed multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to classify groups based on functional connectivity profiles.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in functional connectivity were observed in the Default Mode Network (DMN), Anterior Temporal Networks, and Cerebellum Network.
- DMN connectivity was decreased in lung cancer patients compared to controls, while other identified RSNs showed increased connectivity.
- Chemotherapy further altered connectivity patterns, with C+ patients exhibiting distinct changes compared to C- patients.
Conclusions:
- Disrupted functional connectivity in lung cancer patients involves both decreased DMN connectivity and increased connectivity in other RSNs.
- These connectivity alterations may underlie chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits and suggest potential compensatory mechanisms.
- Functional connectivity analysis offers a valuable tool for understanding the neurological effects of cancer and its treatment.
Keywords:
ChemotherapyDefault mode networkFunctional connectivityLung cancerResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging
