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Cerebral Blood Flow-Based Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Human Brain using Optical Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy
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Resting-state functional brain networks in hypertensive retinopathy
Si-Min Lin1, Yi Han2, Jin-Yu Hu3
1Department of Radiology, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Fujian Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Brain Research Bulletin
|April 18, 2025
Summary
Hypertensive retinopathy (HR) alters brain connectivity. Patients with HR show increased functional connectivity within and between brain networks compared to healthy controls, indicating potential neural mechanism changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Hypertensive retinopathy (HR) is a known complication of hypertension.
- HR can affect various organ systems, including the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in functional brain network connectivity in patients with HR.
- To evaluate changes in the topological properties of brain networks in HR patients.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) scans were performed on 20 HR patients and 41 healthy controls (HC).
- Independent component analysis (ICA) and graph theory analysis were used to assess functional connectivity and network topology.
Main Results:
- HR patients exhibited increased internetwork functional connectivity compared to HC.
- Intranetwork functional connectivity was elevated within the right precuneus of the default mode network in HR patients.
- While both groups showed a small-world topology, significant differences in global and regional network metrics were observed in HR patients.
Conclusions:
- Patients with hypertensive retinopathy display distinct alterations in brain functional connectivity and network topology.
- These findings provide insights into the neural mechanisms associated with hypertensive retinopathy.
