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Data-Driven Parcellation Approaches Based on Functional Connectivity of Visual Cortices in Primary Open-Angle
Hanyang Qu1,1, Yi Wang1,1, Tingqin Yan1
1, Taian.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|July 28, 2020
Summary
This study created a new brain atlas for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, revealing visual cortex functional changes and highlighting the need for specialized atlases in disease research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Ophthalmology
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Standard brain atlases based on healthy individuals may not accurately represent functional characteristics of diseased brains.
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is associated with functional brain alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a visual atlas of functional connectivity in POAG patients.
- To evaluate the utility of this data-driven atlas for functional connectivity and network analysis in POAG.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 36 POAG patients and 20 healthy controls.
- K-means and Ward clustering algorithms for visual cortex parcellation.
- Graph theoretical analysis to investigate network patterns.
Main Results:
- POAG patients exhibited asymmetric functional patterns between cerebral hemispheres.
- Data-driven atlases showed superior functional homogeneity and network properties compared to standard atlases.
- Atlases derived from data-driven approaches were more effective in detecting network alterations in POAG.
Conclusions:
- POAG patients exhibit functional alterations within the visual cortex.
- Data-driven atlases are essential for accurate functional connectivity and network analysis in POAG brains.
