The altered resting-state functional connectivity of thalamic subregions in patients with globus pharyngeus

Globus Pharyngeus (GP) is a somatic symptom that accompanies mood distress. Although the etiology of GP remains unclear, its specific symptom of a false lump sensation in the throat without physical obstruction raises the possibility of alterations in brain networks responsible for somatosensory and emotion processing in patients with GP. To address this possibility, we investigated resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in 31 patients with GP and 24 healthy individuals using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Considering its significance in somatosensory and emotional functions, we focused on rsFC in the subregions of the thalamus. We found significantly decreased rsFC between the right caudal temporal thalamus (rcTtha) and the midcingulate cortex (MCC) as well as significantly decreased rsFC between the right rostral temporal thalamus (rrTtha) and the left cerebellum in the patients with GP. Additionally, within the patient group, the abnormalities in rsFC between the rcTtha and the MCC were correlated with the severity of somatization symptoms but not with depression and anxiety. These findings suggest alterations in the rsFC of thalamic subregions in patients with GP, shedding light on the pathogenesis of GP and potentially leading to improved diagnosis and treatment approaches for the condition.