The Local Brain Abnormalities in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a significant predictor of stroke.
• Brain alterations are present in TIA patients despite transient symptoms.
• The functional mechanisms of transient ischemia remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate functional brain abnormalities in TIA patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).
• To explore the relationship between brain dysfunction and clinical characteristics in TIA.

Main Methods:

• rs-fMRI data were acquired from 48 TIA patients and 41 healthy controls (HCs).
• Analysis included Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuation (ALFF), Regional Homogeneity (ReHo), and Degree Centrality (DC).
• Statistical comparisons and correlation analyses were performed between groups and with clinical data.

Main Results:

• TIA patients showed decreased ALFF in the left middle temporal gyrus compared to HCs.
• Reduced DC was observed in the triangular part of the right inferior frontal gyrus in TIA patients.
• No significant differences in ReHo were found, and no correlations between brain abnormalities and clinical scores were identified.

Conclusions:

• Patients with TIA exhibit localized brain functional deficits, indicated by reduced ALFF and DC.
• These findings contribute to understanding the pathological mechanisms of TIA.
• rs-fMRI can detect functional abnormalities associated with TIA.