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Functional connectivity density alterations in middle-age retinal detachment patients.
Yi Shao1, Lin Yang1, Pei-Wen Zhu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
Brain and Behavior
|March 1, 2021
Summary
Middle-age patients with retinal detachment (RD) show altered brain connectivity. This study found significant changes in local and long-range functional connectivity density in RD patients, offering insights into visual loss mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Retinal detachment (RD) leads to visual information loss.
- Previous fMRI studies indicate abnormal brain activity in RD patients.
- Understanding brain alterations in RD is crucial for managing visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in local functional connectivity density (lFCD) and long-range functional connectivity density (longFCD) in middle-aged RD patients.
- To investigate resting-state functional connectivity (FC) alterations.
- To identify brain regions affected by RD-induced visual loss.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 32 middle-aged RD patients and 32 matched normal controls (NCs).
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Compared lFCD and longFCD using two-sample t tests and ROC curve analysis.
Main Results:
- RD patients showed increased lFCD in the right inferior temporal gyrus.
- RD patients exhibited increased longFCD in frontal, temporal, and cerebellar regions.
- Decreased lFCD and longFCD were observed in various brain areas, including the cuneus and lingual gyrus.
- ROC analysis demonstrated high accuracy in distinguishing RD patients from NCs.
Conclusions:
- Middle-aged RD patients display distinct alterations in lFCD and longFCD.
- These connectivity changes provide insights into the pathological mechanisms underlying acute visual loss in RD.
- The findings highlight the brain's adaptive or maladaptive responses to visual deprivation.
