Abnormal regional homogeneity and its relationship with symptom severity in cervical dystonia: a rest state fMRI study

Shubao Wei,Yuhong Qin,Shuguang Luo,Lu Yang,Caiyou Hu,Wenyan Jiang,Chao Qin,Yiwu Lei,Jing Wei,Yang Liu,Chunhui Lu,Xiuqiong Chen,Hui Hui Li

doi:10.1186/s12883-021-02079-x

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough several brain networks play important roles in cervical dystonia (CD) patients, regional homogeneity (ReHo) changes in CD patients have not been clarified. We investigated to explore ReHo in CD patients at rest and analyzed its correlations with symptom severity as measured by Tsui scale.MethodsA total of 19 CD patients and 21 gender-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls underwent fMRI scans at rest state. Data were analyzed by ReHo method.ResultsPatients showed increased ReHo in the right cerebellum crus I and decreased ReHo in the right superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Moreover, the right precentral gyrus, right insula, and bilateral middle cingulate gyrus also showed increased ReHo values. A significantly positive correlation was observed between ReHo value in the right cerebellum crus I and symptom severity (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOur investigation suggested abnormal ReHo existed in brain regions of the “pain matrix” and salience network (the right insula and bilateral middle cingulate gyrus), the motor network (the right precentral gyrus), the cerebellum and MPFC and further highlighted the significance of these networks in the pathology of CD.

Highlights

Several brain networks play important roles in cervical dystonia (CD) patients, regional homogeneity (ReHo) changes in CD patients have not been clarified
Cervical dystonia (CD) is a neurologic disorder characterized by involuntary sustained contractions of the cervical musculature, causing the head to rotate abnormally or tilt in a particular directions [1]
Growing evidences indicated that the basal ganglia and the cerebellum and sensorimotor cortices may be conducive to the pathology of CD

Summary

Introduction

Several brain networks play important roles in cervical dystonia (CD) patients, regional homogeneity (ReHo) changes in CD patients have not been clarified. We investigated to explore ReHo in CD patients at rest and analyzed its correlations with symptom severity as measured by Tsui scale. The. Developments in neuroimaging techniques opened new avenues for detailed investigation of structural changes and regional activities in the brain involved in the pathophysiology of CD. Results from fMRI researches demonstrate aberrant activation in basal ganglia, premotor, and motor-related areas [5, 6]. Growing evidences indicated that the basal ganglia and the cerebellum and sensorimotor cortices may be conducive to the pathology of CD.

Methods

Results

Conclusion