Disrupted resting-state functional connectivity of the thalamus in patients with coronary heart disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cardiovascular system homeostasis is regulated by the cerebral cortex through the autonomic nervous system.
• The role of abnormal brain functional connectivity (FC) in cardiac dysfunction is not well understood.
• This study investigates thalamus-based FC alterations in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize abnormal brain functional connectivity (FC) patterns in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).
• To explore the relationship between these FC alterations and clinical characteristics in CHD patients.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used to collect data from 26 CHD patients and 16 healthy controls (HCs).
• Thalamus-based FC analysis was performed to identify whole-brain connectivity patterns.
• Correlations between identified FC patterns and clinical parameters were assessed in CHD patients.

Main Results:

• No significant demographic or clinical differences were observed between CHD patients and HCs.
• Patients with CHD demonstrated decreased FC between the bilateral thalami and various left hemisphere regions.
• Affected left hemisphere regions included the supplementary motor area, superior frontal gyrus, superior parietal gyrus, inferior parietal gyrus, middle cingulate cortex, lingual gyrus, and calcarine sulcus.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest a link between cerebral functional imbalance and cardiovascular system dysfunction.
• These results offer insights into the brain-heart axis.
• This research may guide future evaluation and management of cardiac autonomic regulation.