Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Insights into Visual Cortex Research Through Wide-View fMRI Mapping
Published on: December 8, 2023
Abnormal Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation Changes in Patients with Monocular Blindness: A Functional
Jian-Wen Fang1, Ya-Jie Yu1, Li-Ying Tang2,3
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China (mainland).
Abstract:
BACKGROUND We used fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) technology to investigate spontaneous cerebral activity in patients with monocular blindness (MB) and in healthy controls (HCs). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty MB patient and 15 HCs were included in this study. All subjects were scanned by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The independent sample t test and chi-squared test were applied to analyze demographics of MB patients and HCs. The 2-sample t test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to identify the difference in average fALFF values between MB patients and HCs. Pearson's correlation analysis was applied to explore the relationship between the average fALFF values of brain areas and clinical behavior in the MB group. RESULTS MB patients had lower fALFF values in the left anterior cingulate and higher fALFF values in the left precuneus and right and left inferior parietal lobes than in HCs. Moreover, the mean fALFF values of MB patients in the left anterior cingulate had negative correlations with the anxiety scale score (r=-0.825, P<0.001) and the depression scale score (r=-0.871, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study found that MB patients had abnormal spontaneous activities in the visual and vision-related regions. The finding of abnormal neuronal activity helps to reveal the underlying neuropathologic mechanisms of vision loss.
Insights
Monocular blindness (MB) patients exhibit altered brain activity in visual and related regions, with lower fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in the anterior cingulate correlating with anxiety and depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Monocular blindness (MB) presents unique challenges affecting visual processing and potentially brain function.
- Investigating spontaneous cerebral activity offers insights into neural mechanisms underlying sensory loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine differences in spontaneous brain activity between individuals with monocular blindness (MB) and healthy controls (HCs).
- To explore the relationship between brain activity alterations and clinical measures like anxiety and depression in MB patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to measure fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF).
- Analyzed data from 30 MB patients and 15 HCs using statistical tests (t-tests, chi-squared) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
- Employed Pearson's correlation to assess links between fALFF values and clinical behaviors.
Main Results:
- MB patients showed reduced fALFF in the left anterior cingulate compared to HCs.
- Increased fALFF was observed in the left precuneus and bilateral inferior parietal lobes in MB patients.
- Lower fALFF in the left anterior cingulate correlated negatively with anxiety and depression scores in MB patients.
Conclusions:
- Monocular blindness is associated with abnormal spontaneous neural activity in visual and related brain regions.
- These findings contribute to understanding the neuropathological mechanisms of vision loss and its psychological impact.
