Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
Published on: June 26, 2013
Altered functional brain networks in coronary heart disease: independent component analysis and graph theoretical
Simin Lin1, Puyeh Wu2, Shaoyin Duan3
1Department of Radiology, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361006, Fujian, China.
Insights
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is linked to brain network changes. This study found altered functional connectivity and decreased efficiency in the left putamen of CHD patients, potentially explaining cognitive impairments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is associated with cognitive and mental health issues.
- Understanding the neurological underpinnings of these impairments is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between CHD and brain functional connectivity.
- To analyze topological properties of brain networks in CHD patients.
- To explore potential neurological mechanisms for cognitive deficits in CHD.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used.
- Independent component analysis (ICA) assessed functional connectivity.
- Graph theoretical analysis evaluated network topology and efficiency.
Main Results:
- CHD patients showed increased connectivity between posterior default mode and visual networks.
- Decreased connectivity was observed between the left frontoparietal and auditory networks in CHD patients.
- Reduced nodal local efficiency in the left putamen was noted in CHD patients compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- CHD is associated with significant alterations in brain functional connectivity and network topology.
- These brain changes may underlie the cognitive and mental impairments observed in CHD patients.
- The findings highlight a connection between cardiovascular health and higher-order cognitive processing.
Abstract:
Coronary heart disease (CHD) confers a high risk of cognitive and mental impairments in patients. This study aimed to explore the association of CHD with functional connectivity and topological properties of brain networks. A total of 27 patients with CHD and 44 healthy controls (HCs) participated in this study and underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scan. Intra- and internetwork functional connectivity alterations were explored using independent component analysis in CHD patients. Furthermore, graph theoretical analysis was adopted to assess abnormalities in small-world properties and network efficiency metrics of brain networks. Compared to HCs, CHD patients exhibited increased functional connectivity between the posterior default mode network and posterior visual network, as well as decreased functional connectivity between the left frontoparietal network and auditory network. In terms of graph theoretical analysis, small-world network topology was identified in both CHD patients and HCs. Furthermore, the nodal local efficiency of the left putamen was significantly decreased in CHD patients compared to HCs. This study revealed alterations in brain functional connectivity and topological properties in CHD patients, shedding light on the potential neurological mechanism underlying cognitive and mental impairments in these patients and suggesting unexplored connections between CHD and higher order cognitive processing.
More Related Videos
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
08:43Application of Granger Causality Analysis of the Directed Functional Connection in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: August 7, 2017
