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11 January 2019 : Clinical Research  

The Role of Disturbed Small-World Networks in Patients with White Matter Lesions and Cognitive Impairment Revealed by Resting State Function Magnetic Resonance Images (rs-fMRI)

Jinfang Wang12BCDEF, Yu Chen3E, Huazheng Liang4B, Garry Niedermayer4B, Hongyan Chen5B, Yuexiu Li1B, Meiru Wu1C, Yongjun Wang1ACG, Yumei Zhang1ADEG*

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.913396

Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:341-356

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Leukoaraiosis is characterized by white matter lesions (WMLs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is associated with cognitive impairment. The small-world network is viewed as the optimal brain network with maximal efficiency in information processing. Patients with cognitive impairment are thought to have disrupted small-world networks. In this study, we compared the small-world network attributes between controls (study participants without memory complaints) and patients with WMLs with cognitive impairment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: All study participants were prescreened using MRI and neuropsychological tests. Patients with WMLs were further divided into 2 groups according to the result of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), i.e., WMLs with non-dementia vascular cognitive impairment (WMLs-VCIND) and WMLs with vascular dementia (WMLs-VaD). Resting-state functional MRI data were collected and applied with graph theoretical analysis to compare small-world properties between the 3 groups.

RESULTS: We found that the overall functional connectivity strength was lowest in the WMLs-VaD patients but highest in the normal control study participants. Patients in both the WMLs-VCIND and the WMLs-VaD groups had decreased small-world properties compared with the group of normal control study participants. Moreover, the small-world properties significantly correlated with MoCA scores.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest potential constructive reorganization of brain networks secondary to WMLs, and provides novel insights into the role of small-world properties in cognitive dysfunction in WMLs.

Keywords: Leukoaraiosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, mild cognitive impairment, Aged, 80 and over, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Dementia, Vascular, Nerve Net, Neuropsychological Tests, Rest, white matter

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Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750