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Disrupted brain functional network topology in unilateral acute brainstem ischemic stroke
Mengye Shi1, Shenghua Liu1, Huiyou Chen1
1Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No.68, Changle Road, Nanjing, 210006, China.
Brain Imaging and Behavior
|July 25, 2020
Summary
Brain functional connectome analysis reveals altered network topology in acute brainstem stroke. Left-sided strokes disrupt all properties, while right-sided strokes shift towards regular networks, impacting brain function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Network Science
Background:
- Acute brainstem ischemic stroke affects critical neural pathways.
- Understanding functional brain network alterations is crucial for effective management.
- Graph theory provides a framework for analyzing complex brain networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate topological properties of the brain's functional connectome in unilateral acute brainstem ischemic stroke.
- To compare network characteristics between left-sided, right-sided brainstem stroke patients, and healthy controls.
- To identify specific alterations in brain network organization post-stroke.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 53 acute brainstem stroke patients (27 left, 26 right) and 20 healthy controls.
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) for data acquisition.
- Applied graph theory analysis to examine functional connectome topology.
Main Results:
- Both stroke groups and controls exhibited "small-world" network topology.
- Left brainstem stroke patients showed significant differences across all topological properties.
- Right brainstem stroke patients displayed increased clustering coefficient and local efficiency, with decreased normalized clustering coefficient and global efficiency, indicating a shift toward regular networks.
- Abnormal nodal centralities were observed in default mode, subcortical networks, and frontal/occipital lobes.
Conclusions:
- Unilateral acute brainstem ischemic stroke significantly disrupts functional brain network topology.
- Distinct topological alterations are associated with left versus right brainstem strokes.
- These findings enhance understanding of stroke characterization and may inform innovative management strategies.
