title: Changes in the default mode networks of individuals with long-term unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: Hearing impairment contributes to cognitive dysfunction. Previous studies have found changes of functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) associated with cognitive processing in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Whereas the changes in the DMN in patients with long-term unilateral SNHL (USNHL) is still not entirely clear. In this work, we analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and neuropsychological test scores from normal hearing subjects (n = 11) and patients (n = 21) with long-term USNHL. Functional connectivity and nodal topological properties were computed for every brain region in the DMN. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and post hoc analyses were conducted to identify differences between normal controls and patients for each measure. Results indicated that the left USNHL presented enhanced connectivity (p < 0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected), and significant changes (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected) of the nodal topological properties in the DMN compared with the control. More changes in the DMN have been found in the left than right long-term USNHL (RUSNHL). However, the neuropsychological tests did not show significant differences between the USNHL and the control. These findings suggest that long-term USNHL contributes to changes in the DMN, and these changes might affect cognitive abilities in patients with long-term USNHL. Left hearing loss affects the DMN more than the right hearing loss does. The fMRI measures might be more sensitive for observing cognitive changes in patients with hearing loss than clinical neuropsychological tests. This study provides some insights into the mechanisms of the association between hearing loss and cognitive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecule Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Radiology, Taishan Medical University, Chang Cheng Road, Hi-Tech Development Zone, Taian 271016, Shandong Province, China. Electronic address: gyuzhn@163.com.
authors.forename: G-Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecule Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecule Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-neck Surgery, Zhong-Da Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Z-C
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-neck Surgery, Zhong-Da Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-neck Surgery, Zhong-Da Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: P-P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecule Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecule Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: L-J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China; School of Human Communication Disorder, Dalhousie University, 1256 Barrington St, Halifax B3J1Y6, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecule Imaging and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: G-J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012146:Rest
keywords: cognitive function; default mode network; functional connectivity; nodal topological property; unilateral sensorineural hearing loss