Altered local spontaneous brain activity pattern in children with right-eye amblyopia of varying degrees: evidence...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Amblyopia, or 'lazy eye', is a common cause of reduced vision in children.
• Understanding the neural underpinnings of amblyopia is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in local brain activity in children with varying degrees of right-eye amblyopia.
• To identify specific brain regions and functional changes associated with amblyopia severity.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were acquired from three groups: severe amblyopia, mild-to-moderate amblyopia, and normal binocular vision.
• Local brain activity was quantified using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in ALFF and ReHo were observed across the three groups in multiple brain regions.
• The right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus showed ALFF and ReHo values that positively correlated with best-corrected visual acuity.
• ALFF and ReHo values in this region followed a pattern of normal control < mild-to-moderate amblyopia < severe amblyopia.

Conclusions:

• Children with right-eye amblyopia exhibit distinct patterns of ALFF and ReHo.
• These changes occur in brain regions involved in visual sensorimotor and attentional control.
• The findings suggest a relationship between the severity of amblyopia and alterations in local brain activity.