Role of local and distant functional connectivity density in the development of minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
The progression of functional connectivity (FC) patterns from non-hepatic encephalopathy (non-HE) to minimal HE (MHE) is not well known. This resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) study investigated the evolution of intrinsic FC patterns from non-HE to MHE. A total of 103 cirrhotic patients (MHE, n = 34 and non-HE, n = 69) and 103 healthy controls underwent rs-fMRI scanning. Maps of distant and local FC density (dFCD and lFCD, respectively) were compared among MHE, non-HE, and healthy control groups. Decreased lFCD in anterior cingulate cortex, pre- and postcentral gyri, cuneus, lingual gyrus, and putamen was observed in both MHE and non-HE patients relative to controls. There was no difference in lFCD between MHE and non-HE groups. The latter showed decreased dFCD in inferior parietal lobule, cuneus, and medial frontal cortex relative to controls; however, MHE patients showed decreased dFCD in frontal and parietal cortices as well as increased dFCD in thalamus and caudate head relative to control and non-HE groups. Abnormal FCD values in some regions correlated with MHE patients' neuropsychological performance. In conclusion, lFCD and dFCD were perturbed in MHE. Impaired dFCD in regions within the cortico-striato-thalamic circuit may be more closely associated with the development of MHE.
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Rongfeng
R
Qi
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Long Jiang
LJ
Zhang
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Hui Juan
HJ
Chen
Center for Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
Jianhui
J
Zhong
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Song
S
Luo
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Jun
J
Ke
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Qiang
Q
Xu
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Xiang
X
Kong
Department of Gastroenterology, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Chang
C
Liu
Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medical College, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
Guang Ming
GM
Lu
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests