Abstract
ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate changes in three intrinsic functional connectivity networks (IFCNs; default mode network [DMN], salience network [SN], and task‐positive network [TPN]) in individuals who had sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).MethodsResting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) data were acquired from 27 mTBI patients with persistent postconcussive symptoms, along with 26 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. These individuals were recruited from a Level‐1 trauma center, at least 3 months after a traumatic episode. IFCNs were established based on seed‐to‐voxel, region‐of‐interest (ROI) to ROI, and independent component analyses (ICA). Subsequently, we analyzed the relationship between functional connectivity and postconcussive symptoms.ResultsSeed‐to‐voxel analysis of rs‐fMRI demonstrated decreased functional connectivity in the right lateral parietal lobe, part of the DMN, and increased functional connectivity in the supramarginal gyrus, part of the SN. Our TPN showed both hypo‐ and hyperconnectivity dependent on seed location. Within network hypoconnectivity was observed in the visual network also using group comparison. Using an ICA, we identified altered network functional connectivity in regions within four IFCNs (sensorimotor, visual, DMN, and dorsal attentional). A significant negative correlation between dorsal attentional network connectivity and behavioral symptoms score was also found.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that rs‐fMRI may be of use clinically in order to assess disrupted functional connectivity among IFCNs in mTBI patients. Improved mTBI diagnostic and prognostic information could be especially relevant for athletes looking to safely return to play, as well for individuals from the general population with persistent postconcussive symptoms months after injury, who hope to resume activity.
Highlights
Mild traumatic brain injury, often referred to as concussion, is a prominent public health concern, with over 3 million injuries estimated annually in the United States alone (Kim et al, 2018)
Seed-to-voxel results The default mode network (DMN) in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) demonstrated an overall reduced connectivity compared to controls (p-false discovery rate (FDR) corrected < 0.05, p-uncorrected < 0.001)
For the left lateral parietal lobe seed, the BOLD connectivity was greater for controls compared to mTBI patients, within the left supramarginal gyrus
Summary
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), often referred to as concussion, is a prominent public health concern, with over 3 million injuries estimated annually in the United States alone (Kim et al, 2018). Among others, headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, sleep issues, poor concentration, and memory deficits To add to this challenge, in the majority of mTBI patients, conventional imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fail to detect structural abnormalities, even when post-concussive symptoms are persistent and severe (Chong & Schwedt, 2018; Stevens et al, 2012). Analysis of the intrinsic activity in this state of rest, through different statistical methods, has revealed multiple intrinsic functional connectivity networks (IFCNs), each depicting specific functions (Smitha et al, 2017) This technique can potentially provide additional insight regarding the presence and extent of brain dysfunction in mTBI, and aid clinicians in predicting long-term recovery
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
