Functional Connectivity Alterations in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: Insights from Brain Resting-State...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral vertigo.
• BPPV is caused by dislodged otoconia entering the semicircular canals.
• Previous research suggests BPPV involves multiple brain regions, but network contributions remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate resting-state functional connectivity (FC) differences in brain networks in BPPV patients.
• To provide evidence for the central mechanism of BPPV.
• To explore correlations between altered FC and vestibular function.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study with 68 BPPV patients and 60 healthy controls.
• Independent component analysis (ICA) used to detect intra- and inter-network FC.
• Regions with altered connectivity were used as seeds for whole-brain FC analysis.

Main Results:

• Increased intra-network FC found in auditory, cerebellar (CN), executive control, and salience networks (SN) in BPPV patients.
• Altered inter-network FC observed in auditory, basal ganglia, default mode (DMN), and SN.
• Positive correlation between CN connectivity and vertigo intensity.

Conclusions:

• BPPV exhibits distinct intra- and inter-network connectivity alterations in cortical and subcortical regions.
• These alterations are linked to vestibulocerebellar dysfunction.
• Cerebellar network (CN) connectivity may be a neuroimaging target for BPPV intervention.