title: Evaluation of Whole-Brain Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Spinal Cord Injury: A Large-Scale Network Analysis Using Network-Based Statistic.
abstract: Large-scale network analysis characterizes the brain as a complex network of nodes and edges to evaluate functional connectivity patterns. The utility of graph-based techniques has been demonstrated in an increasing number of resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies in the normal and diseased brain. However, to our knowledge, graph theory has not been used to study the reorganization pattern of resting-state brain networks in patients with traumatic complete spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present analysis, we applied a graph-theoretical approach to explore changes to global brain network architecture as a result of SCI. Fifteen subjects with chronic (> 2 years) complete (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] A) cervical SCI and 15 neurologically intact controls were scanned using rs-fMRI. The data were preprocessed followed by parcellation of the brain into 116 regions of interest (ROI) or nodes. The average time series was extracted at each node, and correlation analysis was performed between every pair of nodes. A functional connectivity matrix for each subject was then generated. Subsequently, the matrices were averaged across groups, and network changes were evaluated between groups using the network-based statistic (NBS) method. Our results showed decreased connectivity in a subnetwork of the whole brain in SCI compared with control subjects. Upon further examination, increased connectivity was observed in a subnetwork of the sensorimotor cortex and cerebellum network in SCI. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the applicability of NBS to study functional connectivity architecture in diseased brain states. Further, we show reorganization of large-scale resting-state brain networks in traumatic SCI, with potential prognostic and therapeutic implications.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University Milwaukee , Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Mayank
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaushal
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Akinwunmi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oni-Orisan
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leschke
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: B Douglas
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University Milwaukee , Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kalinosky
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Budde
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University Milwaukee , Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Schmit
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Shi-Jiang
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Vaishnavi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Muqeet
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Shekar N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kurpad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063132:Connectome / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D066191:Sensorimotor Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: neural injury; neuroplasticity; traumatic SCI