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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
Published on: June 26, 2013
Regional brain magnetic susceptibility alterations in obstructive sleep apnea colocalize with normative
Jiyang Liu1, Weide Wu2, Xiaoqi Sun3
1Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China; Department of Radiology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, 248-252 N, Dong Street, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China.
Objectives:
To evaluate whether the spatial pattern of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-related regional magnetic susceptibility alterations colocalizes with the normative distribution of neurotransmitter receptors and transporters.
Methods:
Regional magnetic susceptibility was assessed in 36 OSA patients and 30 screen-negative controls (SNC) using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). The spatial colocalization between OSA-related QSM alterations and the normative distribution of receptors/transporters was examined using PET-derived neurotransmitter maps included in NiSpace. Clinical correlates of colocalization strength were also explored.
Results:
Compared with SNC, patients with OSA showed increased magnetic susceptibility in the left insula, left middle temporal gyrus, and left inferior temporal gyrus (all PFDR = 0.047), with similar trends in the right putamen and right transverse temporal gyrus that did not survive correction. These QSM alterations colocalized with the normative distribution of NMDA receptor (mean Rho = 0.177, PMeff = 0.001), Dopamine transporter (DAT) (mean Rho = 0.149, PMeff = 0.040), and 5-HTT (mean Rho = 0.153, PMeff = 0.040). The strength of colocalization with NMDA receptors, DAT, and 5-HTT was significantly associated with disease severity.
Conclusion:
This study provides convergent evidence linking OSA-related magnetic susceptibility alterations, consistent with iron-related changes, to the normative distribution of glutamatergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems. These spatial associations correlated with disease severity, highlighting the potential of spatial colocalization approaches for understanding neurochemical vulnerability in OSA.
