Intra and inter: Alterations in functional brain resting-state networks in patients with functional constipation

• Published in: Frontiers in neuroscience Vol. 16; p. 957620
• Main Authors: Zhang, Dan, Zhou, Zai-Long, Xing, Ting, Zhou, Mei-Yu, Wan, Ye-Ming, Chang, Shu-Chen, Wang, Ya-Li, Qian, Hai-Hua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 22.07.2022
• Subjects: brain plasticity; functional constipation; functional network connectivity; independent component analysis; Neuroscience; resting-state networks
• ISSN: 1662-453X; 1662-4548; 1662-453X
• DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.957620

Background Functional constipation (FCon), is a symptom-based functional gastrointestinal disorder without an organic etiology and altering brain structure and function. However, previous studies mainly focused on isolated brain regions involved in brain plasticity. Therefore, little is known about the altered large-scale interaction of brain networks in FCon. Methods For this study, we recruited 20 patients with FCon and 20 healthy controls. We used group independent component analysis to identify resting-state networks (RSNs) and documented intra- and inter-network alterations in the RSNs of the patients with FCon. Results We found 14 independent RSNs. Differences in the intra-networks included decreased activities in the bilateral caudate of RSN 3 (strongly related to emotional and autonomic processes) and decreased activities in the left precuneus of RSN 10 (default mode network). Notably, the patients with FCon exhibited significantly decreased interactive connectivity between RSNs, mostly involving the connections to the visual perception network (RSN 7–9). Conclusion Compared with healthy controls, patients with FCon had extensive brain plastic changes within and across related RSNs. Furthermore, the macroscopic brain alterations in FCon were associated with interoceptive abilities, emotion processing, and sensorimotor control. These insights could therefore lead to the development of new treatment strategies for FCon.