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Li HH, Su YN, Huang X. Aberrant Modular Segregation of Brain Networks in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:3239-3248. [PMID: 39234209 PMCID: PMC11372295 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s470950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent ocular manifestation of diabetic microvascular complications and a primary driver of irreversible blindness. Existing studies have illuminated the presence of aberrant brain activity in individuals affected by DR. However, the alterations in the modular segregation of brain networks among DR patients remain inadequately understood. The study aims to explore the modular segregation of brain networks in patients with DR. Methods We examined the blood oxygen levels dependent (BOLD) signals using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R-fMRI) in a cohort of 46 DRpatients and 43 age-matched healthy controls (HC). Subsequently, Modular analysis utilizing graph theory method was applied to quantify the degree of brain network segregation by computing the participation coefficient (PC). Deviations from typical PC values were further elucidated through intra- and inter-module connectivity analyses. Results The DR group demonstrated significantly lower mean PC in the frontoparietal network (FPN), sensorimotor network (SMN), and visual network (VN) compared to the HCgroup. Moreover, increased inter-module connections were observed between the default-mode network (DMN) and SMN, as well as between FPN and VN within the DR group. In terms of nodal analysis, higher PC values were detected in the left thalamus, right frontal lobe, and right precentral gyrus in the DR group compared to the HC group. Conclusion Patients with DR show impairments in primary sensory networks and higher cognitive networks within their functional brain networks. These changes may provide essential insights into the neurobiological mechanisms of DR by identifying alterations in the brain networks of DR patients and pinpointing sensitive neurobiological markers that could serve as vital imaging references for future treatments of diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng-Hui Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gaoxin Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ni Su
- The First Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
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Chen RB, Zhong MY, Zhong YL. Abnormal Topological Organization of Human Brain Connectome in Primary Dysmenorrhea Patients Using Graph Theoretical Analysis. J Pain Res 2024; 17:2789-2799. [PMID: 39220222 PMCID: PMC11365530 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s470194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating studies have revealed altered brain function and structure in regions linked to sensory, pain and emotion in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea (PD). However, the changes in the topological properties of the brain's functional connectome in patients with PD experiencing chronic pain remain poorly understood. Purpose Our study aimed to explore the mechanism of functional brain network impairment in individuals withPD through a graph-theoretic analysis. Material and Methods This study was a randomized controlled trial that included individuals with PD and healthy controls (HC) from June 2021 to June 2022. The experiment took place in the magnetic resonance imaging facility at Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital. Static MRI scans were conducted on 23 female patients with PD and 23 healthy female controls. A two-sample t-test was conducted to compare the global and nodal indices between the two groups, while the Network-Based Statistics (NBS) method was utilized to explore the functional connectivity alterations between the groups. Results In the global index, The PD group exhibited decreased Sigma (p = 0.0432) and Gamma (p = 0.0470) compared to the HC group among the small-world network properties.(p<0.05) In the nodal index, the PD group displayed reduced betweenness centrality and increased degree centrality in the default mode network (DMN), along with decreased nodal efficiency and increased degree centrality in the visual network (VN). (P < 0.05, Bonferroni-corrected) Furthermore, in the connection analysis, PD patients showed altered functional connectivity in the basal ganglia network (BGN), VN, and DMN.(NBS corrected). Conclusion Our results indicate that individuals with PD showed abnormal brain network efficiency and abnormal connection within DMN, VN and BGN related to pain matrix. These findings have important references for understanding the neural mechanism of pain in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ri-Bo Chen
- Department of Radiology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mei-Yi Zhong
- The First Clinical Medical College, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
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Zhong YL, Hu RY, Huang X. Aberrant Neurovascular Coupling in Diabetic Retinopathy Using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) methods. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:2809-2822. [PMID: 39081370 PMCID: PMC11288319 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s465103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous imaging studies have demonstrated that diabetic retinopathy (DR) is linked to structural and functional abnormalities in the brain. However, the extent to which DR patients exhibit abnormal neurovascular coupling remains largely unknown. Methods Thirty-one patients with DR and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to calculate functional connectivity strength (FCS) and arterial spin-labeling imaging (ASL) to calculate cerebral blood flow (CBF). The study compared CBF-FCS coupling across the entire grey matter and CBF/FCS ratios (representing blood supply per unit of connectivity strength) per voxel between the two groups. Additionally, a support vector machine (SVM) method was employed to differentiate between diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients and healthy controls (HC). Results In DRpatients compared to healthy controls, there was a reduction in CBF-FCS coupling across the entire grey matter. Specifically, DR patients exhibited elevated CBF/FCS ratios primarily in the primary visual cortex, including the right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex. On the other hand, reduced CBF/FCS ratios were mainly observed in premotor and supplementary motor areas, including the left middle frontal gyrus. Conclusion An elevated CBF/FCS ratio suggests that patients with DR may have a reduced volume of gray matter in the brain. A decrease in its ratio indicates a decrease in regional CBF in patients with DR. These findings suggest that neurovascular decoupling in the visual cortex, as well as in the supplementary motor and frontal gyrus, may represent a neuropathological mechanism in diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui-Yang Hu
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People’s Republic of China
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Zhou J, Chen W, Jiang WH, Wu Q, Lu JL, Chen HH, Liu H, Xu XQ, Wu FY, Hu H. Altered Static and Dynamic Brain Functional Topological Organization in Patients With Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:2071-2082. [PMID: 38298177 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) is a serious vision-threatening complication of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Exploration of the underlying mechanisms of DON is critical for its timely clinical diagnosis. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that TAO patients with DON may have altered brain functional networks. We aimed to explore the alterations of static and dynamic functional connectomes in patients with and without DON using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging with the graph theory method. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at a grade A tertiary hospital with 66 TAO patients (28 DON and 38 non-DON) and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Main outcome measures included topological properties of functional networks. RESULTS For static properties, DON patients exhibited lower global efficiency (Eg), local efficiency, normalized clustering coefficient, small-worldness (σ), and higher characteristic path length (Lp) than HCs. DON and non-DON patients both exhibited varying degrees of abnormalities in nodal properties. Meanwhile, compared with non-DON, DON patients exhibited abnormalities in nodal properties in the orbitofrontal cortex and visual network (VN). For dynamic properties, the DON group exhibited higher variance in Eg and Lp than non-DON and HC groups. A strengthened subnetwork with VN as the core was identified in the DON cohort. Significant correlations were found between network properties and clinical variables. For distinguishing DON, the combination of static and dynamic network properties exhibited optimal diagnostic performance. CONCLUSION Functional network alterations were observed both in DON and non-DON patients, providing novel insights into the underlying neural mechanisms of disease. Functional network properties may be potential biomarkers for reflecting the progression of TAO from non-DON to DON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow 215000, China
| | - Wen-Hao Jiang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Jin-Ling Lu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Huan-Huan Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Hu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Xiao-Quan Xu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Fei-Yun Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210000, China
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Xu Y, Li X, Yan Q, Zhang Y, Shang S, Xing C, Wu Y, Guan B, Chen YC. Topological disruption of low- and high-order functional networks in presbycusis. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae119. [PMID: 38638149 PMCID: PMC11025675 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Prior efforts have manifested that functional connectivity (FC) network disruptions are concerned with cognitive disorder in presbycusis. The present research was designed to investigate the topological reorganization and classification performance of low-order functional connectivity (LOFC) and high-order functional connectivity (HOFC) networks in patients with presbycusis. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (Rs-fMRI) data were obtained in 60 patients with presbycusis and 50 matched healthy control subjects (HCs). LOFC and HOFC networks were then constructed, and the topological metrics obtained from the constructed networks were compared to evaluate topological differences in global, nodal network metrics, modularity and rich-club organization between patients with presbycusis and HCs. The use of HOFC profiles boosted presbycusis classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity compared to that using LOFC profiles. The brain networks in both patients with presbycusis and HCs exhibited small-world properties within the given threshold range, and striking differences between groups in topological metrics were discovered in the constructed networks (LOFC and HOFC). NBS analysis identified a subnetwork involving 26 nodes and 23 signally altered internodal connections in patients with presbycusis in comparison to HCs in HOFC networks. This study highlighted the topological differences between LOFC and HOFC networks in patients with presbycusis, suggesting that HOFC profiles may help to further identify brain network abnormalities in presbycusis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixi Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang 222000, China
| | - Xiangxiang Li
- Department of Nephrology, Nanjing Yuhua Hospital, Yuhua Branch of Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Song’an Shang
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Chunhua Xing
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Yuanqing Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
| | - Bing Guan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Yu-Chen Chen
- Department of Radiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, China
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Ni MH, Yu Y, Yang Y, Li ZY, Ma T, Xie H, Li SN, Dai P, Cao XY, Cui YY, Zhu JL, Cui GB, Yan LF. Functional-structural decoupling in visual network is associated with cognitive decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: evidence from a multimodal MRI analysis. Brain Imaging Behav 2024; 18:73-82. [PMID: 37874444 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00801-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive dysfunction are highly prevalent disorders worldwide. Although visual network (VN) alteration and functional-structural coupling are potential warning factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in T2DM patients, the relationship between the three in T2DM without MCI is unclear. Thirty T2DM patients without MCI and twenty-nine healthy controls (HC) were prospectively enrolled. Visual components (VC) were estimated by independent component analysis (ICA). Degree centrality (DC), amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were established to reflect functional and structural characteristics in these VCs respectively. Functional-structural coupling coefficients were further evaluated using combined FA and DC or ALFF. Partial correlations were performed among neuroimaging indicators and neuropsychological scores and clinical variables. Three VCs were selected using group ICA. Deteriorated DC, ALFF and DC-FA coefficients in the VC1 were observed in the T2DM group compared with the HC group, while FA and ALFF-FA coefficients in these three VCs showed no significant differences. In the T2DM group, DC in the VC1 positively correlated with 2 dimensions in the California Verbal Learning Test, including Trial 4 and Total trial 1-5. The impaired DC-FA coefficients in the VC1 markedly affected the Total perseverative responses % of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. These findings indicate that DC and DC-FA coefficients in VN may be potential imaging biomarkers revealing early cognitive deficits in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hua Ni
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Middle Section of Shiji Road, Xianyang, 712046, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ze-Yang Li
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Teng Ma
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Xie
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Si-Ning Li
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Xi`an Medical University, 1 Xinwang Road, Xi'an, 710016, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pan Dai
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Xi`an Medical University, 1 Xinwang Road, Xi'an, 710016, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin-Yu Cao
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Yan'an University, 580 Shengdi Road, Yan'an, 716000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yan-Yan Cui
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, 1 Middle Section of Shiji Road, Xianyang, 712046, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Ling Zhu
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guang-Bin Cui
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Lin-Feng Yan
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 569 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
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Burgess J, de Bezenac C, Keller SS, Frank B, Petropoulos IN, Garcia-Finana M, Jackson TL, Kirthi V, Cuthbertson DJ, Selvarajah D, Tesfaye S, Alam U. Brain alterations in regions associated with end-organ diabetic microvascular disease in diabetes mellitus: A UK Biobank study. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2024; 40:e3772. [PMID: 38363054 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with structural grey matter alterations in the brain, including changes in the somatosensory and pain processing regions seen in association with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. In this case-controlled biobank study, we aimed to ascertain differences in grey and white matter anatomy in people with DM compared with non-diabetic controls (NDC). METHODS This study utilises the UK Biobank prospective, population-based, multicentre study of UK residents. Participants with diabetes and age/gender-matched controls without diabetes were selected in a three-to-one ratio. We excluded people with underlying neurological/neurodegenerative disease. Whole brain, cortical, and subcortical volumes (188 regions) were compared between participants with diabetes against NDC corrected for age, sex, and intracranial volume using univariate regression models, with adjustment for multiple comparisons. Diffusion tensor imaging analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) was performed along the length of 50 white matter tracts. RESULTS We included 2404 eligible participants who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (NDC, n = 1803 and DM, n = 601). Participants with DM had a mean (±standard deviation) diagnostic duration of 18 ± 11 years, with adequate glycaemic control (HbA1C 52 ± 13 mmol/mol), low prevalence of microvascular complications (diabetic retinopathy prevalence, 5.8%), comparable cognitive function to controls but greater self-reported pain. Univariate volumetric analyses revealed significant reductions in grey matter volume (whole brain, total, and subcortical grey matter), with mean percentage differences ranging from 2.2% to 7% in people with DM relative to NDC (all p < 0.0002). The subcortical (bilateral cerebellar cortex, brainstem, thalamus, central corpus callosum, putamen, and pallidum) and cortical regions linked to sensorimotor (bilateral superior frontal, middle frontal, precentral, and postcentral gyri) and visual functions (bilateral middle and superior occipital gyri), all had lower grey matter volumes in people with DM relative to NDC. People with DM had significantly reduced FA along the length of the thalamocortical radiations, thalamostriatal projections, and commissural fibres of the corpus callosum (all; p < 0·001). INTERPRETATION This analysis suggests that anatomic differences in brain regions are present in a cohort with adequately controlled glycaemia without prevalent microvascular disease when compared with volunteers without diabetes. We hypothesise that these differences may predate overt end-organ damage and complications such as diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. Central nervous system alterations/neuroplasticity may occur early in the natural history of microvascular complications; therefore, brain imaging should be considered in future mechanistic and interventional studies of DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Burgess
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine and the Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Christophe de Bezenac
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Simon S Keller
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bernhard Frank
- Department of Pain Medicine, The Walton Centre, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Timothy L Jackson
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- King's Ophthalmology Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Varo Kirthi
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel J Cuthbertson
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Dinesh Selvarajah
- Department of Oncology and Human Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Solomon Tesfaye
- Academic Unit of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Uazman Alam
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Medicine and the Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool and Liverpool University NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, UK
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Ebrahimi M, Thompson P, Lauer AK, Sivaprasad S, Perry G. The retina-brain axis and diabetic retinopathy. Eur J Ophthalmol 2023; 33:2079-2095. [PMID: 37259525 DOI: 10.1177/11206721231172229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major contributor to permanent vision loss and blindness. Changes in retinal neurons, glia, and microvasculature have been the focus of intensive study in the quest to better understand DR. However, the impact of diabetes on the rest of the visual system has received less attention. There are reports of associations of changes in the visual system with preclinical and clinical manifestations of diabetes. Simultaneous investigation of the retina and the brain may shed light on the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in diabetics. Additionally, investigating the links between DR and other neurodegenerative disorders of the brain including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease may reveal shared mechanisms for neurodegeneration and potential therapy options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moein Ebrahimi
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy, and Autoimmunity, Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Paul Thompson
- Imaging Genetics Center, Mark and Mary Stevens Institute for Neuroimaging and Informatics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andreas K Lauer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Sobha Sivaprasad
- National Institute of Health and Care Research Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - George Perry
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, University of Texas and San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Chen WY, Zhong YL, Jin H, Huang X. Altered functional connectivity between the default mode network in diabetic retinopathy patients. Neuroreport 2023; 34:309-314. [PMID: 36966810 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have demonstrated that diabetic retinopathy is associated with cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate the intrinsic functional connectivity pattern within the default mode network (DMN) and its associations with cognitive impairment in diabetic retinopathy patients using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). METHODS A total of 34 diabetic retinopathy patients and 37 healthy controls were recruited for rs-fMRI scanning. Both groups were age, gender, and education level matched. The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) was chosen as the region of interest for detecting functional connectivity changes. RESULTS Compared with the healthy control group, diabetic retinopathy patients showed increased functional connectivity between PCC and left medial superior frontal gyrus and increased functional connectivity between PCC and right precuneus. CONCLUSION Our study highlights that diabetic retinopathy patients show enhanced functional connectivity within DMN, suggesting that a compensatory increase of neural activity might occur in DMN, which offers new insight into the potential neural mechanism of cognitive impairment in diabetic retinopathy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Yun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College
- Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yu Lin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College
| | - Han Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College
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Zhou B, Wang X, Yang Q, Wu F, Tang L, Wang J, Li C. Topological Alterations of the Brain Functional Network in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:834319. [PMID: 35517056 PMCID: PMC9063631 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.834319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the topological alterations of the brain functional network in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and graph theory approaches. In total, 27 T2DM patients with MCI, 27 T2DM patients without MCI, and 27 healthy controls (HCs) underwent rs-fMRI scanning. The whole-brain functional network was constructed by thresholding the Pearson’s correlation matrices of 90 brain regions. The topological organization of the constructed networks was analyzed by using graph theory approaches. The global and nodal properties of the participants in the three groups were compared by using one-way ANOVA as well as post hoc Tukey’s t-tests. The relationships between the altered topological properties and clinical features or scores of neuropsychological tests were analyzed in T2DM patients with MCI. At the global level, the global and local efficiency of the patients in the T2DM with MCI group were significantly higher than that of participants in the HCs group, and the length of the characteristic path was significantly lower than that of the participants in the HCs group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found among the other groups. At the nodal level, when compared with T2DM patients without MCI, T2DM patients with MCI showed significantly increased nodal centrality in four brain regions, which were mainly located in the orbitofrontal lobe and anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the T2DM patients without MCI and HCs. Moreover, nodal degree related coefficient (r = −0381, p = 0.050) and nodal efficiency (r = −0.405, P = 0.036) of the ACG showed a significant closed correlation with the scores of the digit span backward test in the T2DM patients with MCI. Our results suggested that the increased nodal properties in brain regions of the orbitofrontal lobe and ACG were biomarkers of cognitive impairment in T2DM patients and could be used for its early diagnosis. The global topological alterations may be related to the combination of MCI and T2DM, rather than any of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiwan Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qifang Yang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Faqi Wu
- Department of Medical Service, Yanzhuang Central Hospital of Gangcheng District, Jinan, China
| | - Lin Tang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Jian Wang,
| | - Chuanming Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chuanming Li,
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11
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Geng C, Wang S, Li Z, Xu P, Bai Y, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Li Y, Zhang J, Zhang H. Resting-State Functional Network Topology Alterations of the Occipital Lobe Associated With Attention Impairment in Isolated Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:844483. [PMID: 35431890 PMCID: PMC9012114 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.844483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeThis study investigates the topological properties of brain functional networks in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD).Participants and MethodsA total of 21 patients with iRBD (iRBD group) and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychological measures in cognitive and motor function. Data from rs-fMRI were analyzed using graph theory, which included small-world properties, network efficiency, network local efficiency, nodal shortest path, node efficiency, and network connectivity, as well as the relationship between behavioral characteristics and altered brain topological features.ResultsRey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCFT-copy), symbol digital modalities test (SDMT), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT)-N1, AVLT-N2, AVLT-N3, and AVLT-N1-3 scores were significantly lower in patients with iRBD than in HC (P < 0.05), while trail making test A (TMT-A), TMT-B, and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part-III (UPDRS-III) scores were higher in patients with iRBD (P < 0.05). Compared with the HCs, patients with iRBD had no difference in the small-world attributes (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant decrease in network global efficiency (P = 0.0052) and network local efficiency (P = 0.0146), while an increase in characteristic path length (P = 0.0071). There was lower nodal efficiency in occipital gyrus and nodal shortest path in frontal, parietal, temporal lobe, and cingulate gyrus. Functional connectivities were decreased between the nodes of occipital with the regions where they had declined nodal shortest path. There was a positive correlation between TMT-A scores and the nodal efficiency of the right middle occipital gyrus (R = 0.602, P = 0.014).ConclusionThese results suggest that abnormal behaviors may be associated with disrupted brain network topology and functional connectivity in patients with iRBD and also provide novel insights to understand pathophysiological mechanisms in iRBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaofan Geng
- Henan University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shenghui Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhonglin Li
- Department of Radiology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Henan University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yingying Bai
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Xinxiang Medical University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongli Li
- Department of Functional Imaging, Henan Key Laboratory for Medical Imaging of Neurological Diseases, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiewen Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongju Zhang
- Henan University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Xinxiang Medical University, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hongju Zhang,
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12
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Wan S, Xia WQ, Zhong YL. Aberrant Interhemispheric Functional Connectivity in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:792264. [PMID: 34975389 PMCID: PMC8716762 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.792264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Accumulating lines of evidence demonstrated that diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients trigger abnormalities in brain’s functional connectivity (FC), whereas the alterations of interhemispheric coordination pattern occurring in DR are not well understood. Our study was to investigate alterations of interhemispheric coordination in DR patients. Methods: Thirty-four DR individuals (19 males and 15 females: mean age: 52.97 ± 8.35 years) and 37 healthy controls (HCs) (16 males and 21 females; mean age: 53.78 ± 7.24 years) were enrolled in the study. The voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) method was conducted to investigate the different interhemispheric FC between two groups. Then, the seed-based FC method was applied to assess the different FCs with region of interest (ROI) in the brain regions of decreased VMHC between two groups. Results: Compared with HC groups, DR groups showed decreased VMHC values in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus (MTG), lingual/calcarine/middle occipital gyrus (LING/CAL/MOG), superior temporal gyrus (STG), angular (ANG), postcentral gyrus (PosCG), inferior parietal lobule (IPL), and precentral gyrus (PreCG). Meanwhile, altered FC includes the regions of auditory network, visual network, default mode network, salience network, and sensorimotor network. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between the visual acuity-oculus dexter (OD) and zVMHC values in the bilateral LING/CAL/MOG (r = 0.551, p = 0.001), STG (r = 0.426, p = 0.012), PosCG (r = 0.494, p = 0.003), and IPL (r = 0.459, p = 0.006) in DR patients. Conclusion: Our results highlighted that DR patients were associated with substantial impairment of interhemispheric coordination in auditory network, visual network, default mode network, and sensorimotor network. The VMHC might be a promising therapeutic target in the intervention of brain functional dysfunction in DR patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen Qing Xia
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Lin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Lin Zhong,
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13
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Zhang D, Huang Y, Gao J, Lei Y, Ai K, Tang M, Yan X, Lei X, Yang Z, Shao Z, Zhang X. Altered Functional Topological Organization in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus With and Without Microvascular Complications. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726350. [PMID: 34630014 PMCID: PMC8493598 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Microvascular complications can accelerate cognitive impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and have a high impact on their quality of life; however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The complex network in the human brain is the physiological basis for information processing and cognitive expression. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between the functional network topological properties and cognitive function in T2DM patients with and without microvascular complications (T2DM-C and T2DM-NC, respectively). Sixty-seven T2DM patients and 41 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional MRI and neuropsychological assessment. Then, graph theoretical network analysis was performed to explore the global and nodal topological alterations in the functional whole brain networks of T2DM patients. Correlation analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between the altered topological parameters and cognitive/clinical variables. The T2DM-C group exhibited significantly higher local efficiency (Eloc), normalized cluster coefficient (γ), and small-world characteristics (σ) than the HCs. Patients with T2DM at different clinical stages (T2DM-C and T2DM-NC) showed varying degrees of abnormalities in node properties. In addition, compared with T2DM-NC patients, T2DM-C patients showed nodal properties disorders in the occipital visual network, cerebellum and middle temporal gyrus. The Eloc metrics were positively correlated with HbA1c level (P = 0.001, r = 0.515) and the NE values in the right paracentral lobule were negatively related with serum creatinine values (P = 0.001, r = −0.517) in T2DM-C patients. This study found that T2DM-C patients displayed more extensive changes at different network topology scales. The visual network and cerebellar may be the central vulnerable regions of T2DM-C patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Zhang
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yang Huang
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yumeng Lei
- Department of Graduate, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kai Ai
- Department of Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Tang
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuejiao Yan
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoyan Lei
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhirong Shao
- Department of Graduate, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of MRI, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China
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Marchesi N, Fahmideh F, Boschi F, Pascale A, Barbieri A. Ocular Neurodegenerative Diseases: Interconnection between Retina and Cortical Areas. Cells 2021; 10:2394. [PMID: 34572041 PMCID: PMC8469605 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The possible interconnection between the eye and central nervous system (CNS) has been a topic of discussion for several years just based on fact that the eye is properly considered an extension of the brain. Both organs consist of neurons and derived from a neural tube. The visual process involves photoreceptors that receive light stimulus from the external environment and send it to retinal ganglionic cells (RGC), one of the cell types of which the retina is composed. The retina, the internal visual membrane of the eye, processes the visual stimuli in electric stimuli to transfer it to the brain, through the optic nerve. Retinal chronic progressive neurodegeneration, which may occur among the elderly, can lead to different disorders of the eye such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Mainly in the elderly population, but also among younger people, such ocular pathologies are the cause of irreversible blindness or impaired, reduced vision. Typical neurodegenerative diseases of the CSN are a group of pathologies with common characteristics and etiology not fully understood; some risk factors have been identified, but they are not enough to justify all the cases observed. Furthermore, several studies have shown that also ocular disorders present characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases and, on the other hand, CNS pathologies, i.e., Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD), which are causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, show peculiar alterations at the ocular level. The knowledge of possible correlations could help to understand the mechanisms of onset. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of these heterogeneous disorders are still debated. This review discusses the characteristics of the ocular illnesses, focusing on the relationship between the eye and the brain. A better comprehension could help in future new therapies, thus reducing or avoiding loss of vision and improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Annalisa Barbieri
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (N.M.); (F.F.); (F.B.); (A.P.)
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15
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Wang H, Xia Y, Zhang Y. Diagnostic significance of serum lncRNA HOTAIR and its predictive value for the development of chronic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2021; 13:97. [PMID: 34496971 PMCID: PMC8424924 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-021-00719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects the social economy and quality of life, and has become a major threat to human health. This observation aimed to study the possibility of serum HOTAIR as a diagnostic index in patients with T2DM and to explore the prognostic potential of HOTAIR in the development of T2DM. METHODS The expression of HOTAIR in serum of 96 patients with T2DM and 82 healthy controls was detected by the qRT-PCR technique. The related biochemical indexes of all participants were determined, such as total cholesterol (TC) and fasting blood glucose (FBG). The value of serum HOTAIR in the diagnosis of T2DM in the two groups was analyzed by the ROC curve. Moreover, the prognostic value of HOTAIR on T2DM was examined by the K-M curve and COX multivariate analysis. RESULTS The results of the qRT-PCR analysis showed that the serum level of HOTAIR in patients with T2DM was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. ROC analysis showed that HOTAIR in serum was a diagnostic factor of T2DM. Further multivariate analysis showed that HOTAIR could be an independent biomarker in the prediction of chronic complications for T2DM patients, such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS We found the augment of HOTAIR expression was a character of T2DM. The high expression of serum HOTAIR was a potential non-invasive diagnostic marker and independent prognostic factor in patients with T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyun Wang
- Department of Health Comprehensive Geriatrics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, No. 4138, Linglongshan Road, Weifang, 262500, Shandong, China.
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Health Comprehensive Geriatrics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, No. 4138, Linglongshan Road, Weifang, 262500, Shandong, China
| | - Yanxia Zhang
- Department of Health Comprehensive Geriatrics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, No. 4138, Linglongshan Road, Weifang, 262500, Shandong, China
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16
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Huang X, Wen Z, Qi CX, Tong Y, Shen Y. Dynamic Changes of Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:611702. [PMID: 33643197 PMCID: PMC7905082 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.611702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Growing evidence demonstrate that diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients have a high risk of cognitive decline and exhibit abnormal brain activity. However, neuroimaging studies thus far have focused on static cerebral activity changes in DR patients. The characteristics of dynamic cerebral activity in patients with DR are poorly understood. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamic cerebral activity changes in patients with DR using the dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (dALFF) method. Materials and methods: Thirty-four DR patients (18 men and 16 women) and 38 healthy controls (HCs) (18 males and 20 females) closely matched in age, sex, and education were enrolled in this study. The dALFF method was used to investigate dynamic intrinsic brain activity differences between the DR and HC groups. Results: Compared with HCs, DR patients exhibited increased dALFF variability in the right brainstem, left cerebellum_8, left cerebellum_9, and left parahippocampal gyrus. In contrast, DR patients exhibited decreased dALFF variability in the left middle occipital gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus. Conclusion: Our study highlighted that DR patients showed abnormal variability of dALFF in the visual cortices, cerebellum, and parahippocampal gyrus. These findings suggest impaired visual and motor and memory function in DR individuals. Thus, abnormal dynamic spontaneous brain activity might be involved in the pathophysiology of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Huang
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhi Wen
- Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen-Xing Qi
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Tong
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yin Shen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Qi CX, Huang X, Tong Y, Shen Y. Altered Functional Connectivity Strength of Primary Visual Cortex in Subjects with Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2021; 14:3209-3219. [PMID: 34285528 PMCID: PMC8286104 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s311009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to find the differences in intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) patterns of the primary visual area (V1) among diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetes mellitus (DM), and healthy controls (HCs) applying resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-five subjects with DR (18 males and 17 females), 22 DM (10 males and 12 females) and 38 HCs (16 males and 22 females) matched for sex, age, and education underwent rs-fMRI scanning. Seed-based FC analysis was performed to find the alterations in the intrinsic FC patterns of V1 in DR compared with DM and HCs. RESULTS The study found that DR patients had a significant lower FC between the bilateral calcarine (CAL)/left lingual gyrus (LING) (BA 17/18) and the left V1, and between the bilateral CAL/left LING (BA 17/18) and the right V1 compared with the HCs. Meanwhile, patients with DR exhibited higher FC strength between the left V1 and the bilateral Caudate/Olfactory/Orbital superior frontal gyrus (OSFG), and between the bilateral Caudate/Olfactory/OSFG (BA 3/4/6) and the right V1. Compared with DM group, patients with DR showed increased FC strength between the right CAL (BA 17/18) and the right V1. DM group exhibited lower FC strength between the left fusiform and the left V1, and between the bilateral CAL and the right V1 when compared with HCs. Moreover, DM group was observed to have higher FC strength between the left superior frontal gyrus and the left V1. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that DR patients exhibited FC disruptions between V1 and higher visual regions at rest, which may reflect the aberrant information communication in the V1 area of DR individuals. The findings offer important insights into the neuromechanism of vision disorder in DR patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-xing Qi
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Tong
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yin Shen
- Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Yin Shen Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238, Jie Fang Road, Wu Chang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13871550513 Email
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Large-Scale Neuronal Network Dysfunction in Diabetic Retinopathy. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:6872508. [PMID: 32399026 PMCID: PMC7204201 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6872508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients are at an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. There is accumulating evidence that specific functional and structural architecture changes in the brain are related to cognitive impairment in DR patients. However, little is known regarding whether the functional architecture of resting-state networks (RSNs) changes in DR patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the intranetwork functional connectivity (FC) and functional network connectivity (FNC) of RSN changes in DR patients using independent component analysis (ICA). Thirty-four DR patients (18 men and 16 women; mean age, 53.53 ± 8.67 years) and 38 nondiabetic healthy controls (HCs) (15 men and 23 women; mean age, 48.63 ± 11.83 years), closely matched for age, sex, and education, underwent resting-state magnetic resonance imaging scans. ICA was applied to extract the nine RSNs. Then, two-sample t-tests were conducted to investigate different intranetwork FCs within nine RSNs between the two groups. The FNC toolbox was used to assess interactions among RSNs. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between intranetwork FCs and clinical variables in the DR group. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was conducted to assess the ability of the intranetwork FCs of RSNs in discriminating between the two groups. Compared to the HC group, DR patients showed significant decreased intranetwork FCs within the basal ganglia network (BGN), visual network (VN), ventral default mode network (vDMN), right executive control network (rECN), salience network (SN), left executive control network (lECN), auditory network (AN), and dorsal default mode network (dDMN). In addition, FNC analysis showed increased VN-BGN, VN-vDMN, VN-dDMN, vDMN-lECN, SN-BGN, lECN-dDMN, and AN-BGN FNCs in the DR group, relative to the HC group. Furthermore, altered intranetwork FCs of RSNs were significantly correlated with the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level in DR patients. A ROC curve showed that these specific intranetwork FCs of RSNs discriminated between the two groups with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Our study highlighted that DR patients had widespread deficits in both low-level perceptual and higher-order cognitive networks. Our results offer important insights into the neural mechanisms of visual loss and cognitive decline in DR patients.
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