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Brain structure and function changes in ulcerative colitis
Jennifer Kornelsen1,2, Kelcie Witges2, Jennifer Labus3
1University of Manitoba, Department of Radiology, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Investigating the brain-gut axis in ulcerative colitis (UC) reveals altered brain structure and functional connectivity (FC) in patients compared to healthy individuals. These brain changes highlight a potential link between the brain and gut in UC development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The brain-gut axis plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathobiology.
- Understanding brain structure and functional connectivity (FC) in ulcerative colitis (UC) is essential for advancing treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural brain differences and FC alterations in individuals with UC compared to healthy controls (HC).
- To explore the relationship between brain structure, FC, and the brain-gut axis in UC.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to study 76 participants with UC and 74 HC.
- Voxel-based morphometry was used to analyze grey matter volume.
- Functional connectivity (FC) was assessed across various brain networks.
Main Results:
- Individuals with UC exhibited greater grey matter volume in several brain regions compared to HC.
- Significant differences in FC were observed in the cerebellar, default mode, visual, and dorsal attention networks.
- Sex-specific differences in FC were noted within the visual and dorsal attention networks.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide evidence of an altered brain-gut axis in UC.
- These brain alterations warrant further investigation to determine their role in UC's evolution or response to the disease.
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