Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Network Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Functional Connectivity MRI in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Published on: August 5, 2014
Studying cognition impairment in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy through functional connectivity
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China.
Aim:
This study aimed to investigate functional connectivity (FC) alterations between the insula and other brain regions in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) patients and their association with cognitive deficits.
Materials And Methods:
The study included 23 MHE patients and 25 healthy control (HC) individuals. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonanceimaging (fMRI), neuropsychological testing, and cognitive scale assessments. FC analysis was performed to investigate the connectivity between the insula and the whole brain in the context of MHE. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the association between changes in FC and cognitive scale scores.
Results:
The HC and MHE groups showed significant differences in cognitive performance measures, such as the Number Connection Test-A (NCT-A), Digit symbol Test (DST), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score (P < 0.01). The MHE group demonstrated elevated FC between the right insula and the right superior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus compared with the HC group. Furthermore, the left insula showed increased FC with the left middle frontal gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus (P < 0.05, corrected). Notably, these changes in FC among MHE patients were significantly correlated with the MoCA score (P < 0.05, corrected).
Conclusion:
This study emphasises the FC alterations between the insula and the prefrontal cortex in MHE patients, which have a close association with cognitive functions. FC could potentially serve as a biomarker for diagnosing and assessing the severity of cognitive impairments in MHE.
Insights
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) patients show altered brain connectivity between the insula and frontal regions, impacting cognitive function. These functional connectivity (FC) changes correlate with cognitive scores, suggesting FC as a potential MHE biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a subclinical stage of liver dysfunction affecting brain function.
- Cognitive deficits are common in MHE, impacting daily life and disease progression.
- Understanding the neural basis of cognitive impairment in MHE is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional connectivity (FC) alterations between the insula and other brain regions in MHE patients.
- To assess the association between these FC changes and cognitive deficits in MHE.
- To explore the potential of FC as a biomarker for MHE-related cognitive impairment.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to analyze brain activity in 23 MHE patients and 25 healthy controls (HC).
- Neuropsychological tests and cognitive scales, including NCT-A, DST, and MoCA, were administered to all participants.
- Pearson correlation analysis was employed to link FC alterations with cognitive performance scores.
Main Results:
- MHE patients exhibited significant cognitive deficits compared to HC individuals.
- Elevated FC was observed between the right insula and frontal regions (superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus) in MHE patients.
- Increased FC was also found between the left insula and middle frontal gyri in MHE patients.
- These FC alterations were significantly correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights significant functional connectivity alterations between the insula and prefrontal cortex in MHE.
- These FC changes are closely associated with cognitive function deficits observed in MHE patients.
- Functional connectivity may serve as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing and evaluating cognitive impairment severity in MHE.
More Related Videos
08:23A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
08:43Application of Granger Causality Analysis of the Directed Functional Connection in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: August 7, 2017
