Abnormal Gray Matter Structural Networks in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Network Neuroscience
• Neurology

Background:

• Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a treatable dementia.
• Network analysis is a growing tool for studying neurological disorders.
• Structural brain network changes in iNPH remain unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gray matter (GM) structural network alterations in iNPH patients.
• To compare the structural brain networks of iNPH patients with normal-control (NC) elderly volunteers.

Main Methods:

• Structural networks were built using covariance of regional GM volumes from T1-weighted MRI scans.
• 29 iNPH patients and 30 NC participants were included.
• Network properties were statistically compared between the iNPH and NC groups.

Main Results:

• The iNPH network exhibited significantly higher global modularity (P < 0.05).
• Regional analysis revealed decreased betweenness in eight nodes (bilateral frontal, right temporal, right insula, right posterior cingulate) and increased betweenness in the left anterior cingulate in iNPH patients.
• Network hubs differed, with iNPH networks showing temporal/limbic lobe hubs and NC networks showing frontal hubs.

Conclusions:

• Network analysis is a promising approach for studying iNPH.
• Increased modularity in iNPH warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker for shunting responsiveness.