Abnormal Structural–Functional Coupling and MRI Alterations of Brain Network Topology in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Abstract

BackgroundProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) can cause structural and functional brain reconstruction. There is a lack of knowledge about the consistency between structural–functional (S–F) connection networks in PSP, despite growing evidence of anomalies in various single brain network parameters.PurposeTo study the changes in the structural and functional networks of PSP, network's topological properties including degree, and the consistency of S–F coupling. The relationship with clinical scales was examined including the assessment of PSP severity, and so on.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsA total of 51 PSP patients (70.04 ± 7.46, 25 females) and 101 healthy controls (64.58 ± 8.84, 58 females).Field Strength/Sequence3‐T, resting‐state functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and T1‐weighted images.AssessmentA graph‐theoretic approach was used to evaluate structural and functional network topology metrics. We used the S–F coupling changes to explore the consistency of structural and functional networks.Statistical TestsIndependent samples t tests were employed for continuous variables, χ2 tests were used for categorical variables. For network analysis, two‐sample t tests was used and implied an false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations. A P‐value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsPSP showed variations within and between modules. Specifically, PSP had decreased network properties changes (t = −2.0136; t = 2.5409; t = −2.5338; t = −2.4296; t = −2.5338; t = 2.8079). PSP showed a lower coupling in the thalamus and left putamen and a higher coupling in the visual, somatomotor, dorsal attention, and ventral attention network. S–F coupling was related to the number of network connections (r = 0.32, r = 0.22) and information transmission efficiency (r = 0.55, r = 0.28). S–F coupling was related to basic academic ability (r = 0.39) and disinhibition (r = 0.49).Data ConclusionPSP may show abnormal S–F coupling and intramodular and intermodular connectome in the structural and functional networks.Level of Evidence3Technical EfficacyStage 3