Abnormal topological organization of structural covariance networks in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Zhang, Yuanchao; Qiu, Ting; Yuan, Xinru; Zhang, Jinlei; Wang, Yue; Zhang, Na; Zhou, Changyu; Luo, Chunxia; Zhang, Jiuquan

doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.101619

Cited by 35 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 132 publications

(178 reference statements)

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“…The use of the graph theory enables a topological study of the entire cerebral network, without targeting a priori regions of interest. Our results are in line with the reports of decreased of Eglob in previous studies (Zhang et al, 2019). Our findings also support the notion of widespread, multisystem, multi-network degeneration in ALS which has been conceived based on other structural (Keil et al, 2012; Menke et al, 2012; Bede et al, 2016; Müller et al, 2016) and functional methods (Agosta et al, 2011; Douaud et al, 2011; Geevasinga et al, 2017; Dukic et al, 2019; Nasseroleslami et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Structural Connectivity Alterations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Graph Theory Based Imaging Study

et al. 2019

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BackgroundAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentlessly progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Diffusion magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) studies have consistently showed widespread alterations in both motor and non-motor brain regions. However, connectomics and graph theory based approaches have shown inconsistent results. Hub-centered lesion patterns and their impact on local and large-scale brain networks remain to be established. The objective of this work is to characterize topological properties of structural brain connectivity in ALS using an array of local, global and hub-based network metrics.Materials and MethodsMagnetic resonance imagining data were acquired from 25 patients with ALS and 26 age-matched healthy controls. Structural network graphs were constructed from diffusion tensor MRI. Network-based statistics (NBS) and graph theory metrics were used to compare structural networks without a priori regions of interest.ResultsPatients with ALS exhibited global network alterations with decreased global efficiency (Eglob) (p = 0.03) and a trend of reduced whole brain mean degree (p = 0.05) compared to controls. Six nodes showed significantly decreased mean degree in ALS: left postcentral gyrus, left interparietal and transverse parietal sulcus, left calcarine sulcus, left occipital temporal medial and lingual sulcus, right precentral gyrus and right frontal inferior sulcus (p < 0.01). Hub distribution was comparable between the two groups. There was no selective hub vulnerability or topological reorganization centered on these regions as the hub disruption index (κ) was not significant for the relevant metrics (degree, local efficiency and betweenness centrality). Using NBS, we identified an impaired motor subnetwork of 11 nodes and 10 edges centered on the precentral and the paracentral nodes (p < 0.01). Significant clinical correlations were identified between degree in the frontal area and the disease progression rate of ALS patients (p < 0.01).ConclusionOur study provides evidence that alterations of structural connectivity in ALS are primarily driven by node degree and white matter tract degeneration within an extended network around the precentral and the paracentral areas without hub-centered reorganization.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Structural Connectivity Alterations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Graph Theory Based Imaging Study

et al. 2019

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“…The brain regulation for ejaculation integrates the genital sensory, emotional, autonomic, and motor information (Giuliano, ). The subcortical brain regions have functional and anatomical connections with the frontal areas, which are involved in the regulation of emotion, cognitive function, and motor (Salvador et al ., ; Zhang et al ., ,b). Activation of the pre‐frontal cortex involves in mediating the erectile response and the emotional arousal (Georgiadis & Kringelbach, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The interactions between peripheral and cerebral neural pathways are involved in the set of neuromuscular events of the ejaculatory reflex (Giuliano, ; Facchinetti et al ., ; Yusof et al ., ). The process of emission is under the control of sympathetic nervous system, which allows the closure of bladder neck and promotes seminal fluid to posterior urethra (Hong et al ., ; Zhang et al ., ,b). The phase of expulsion is controlled by the parasympathetic and somatic nervous system, as well as the perineal muscles (Alwaal et al ., ; Clement & Giuliano, ; Chéhensse et al ., ,b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced segregation and integration of structural brain network associated with sympathetic and dorsal penile nerve activity in anejaculation patients: a graph‐based connectome study

et al. 2019

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Introduction Recent neuroimaging studies have indicated that some brain areas are involved in the sexual behavior process. Pre‐mature ejaculation patients exhibit altered brain activation and abnormal cortical structures. However, there has been no research evaluating the topological organization of structural brain network in anejaculation (AE). Methods We employed diffusion tensor imaging data and graph theory to examine the whole‐brain structural networks among 16 AE patients and 23 healthy controls. In addition, the results of sexual function assessment were also obtained from each patient for symptom assessment. Moreover, the relationships between these clinical features and the altered topological characteristics of AE patients were also explored. Results Decreased clustering coefficient was found in the right amygdala, inferior temporal gyrus, and left pallidum of AE. AE also showed increased path length in the right post‐central gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, putamen, pallidum and left heschl gyrus, temporal pole (superior temporal gyrus); however, these altered brain regions showed no significant differences after false discovery rate correction. Moreover, the path length between subcortical and frontal regions was increased in AE. In addition, negative correlations were found between the altered nodal parameters and the amplitudes of somatosensory evoked potentials of dorsal nerve, sympathetic skin response located in the penis. Conclusion Together, our results suggest that AE was associated with disruptions in the topological organization of structural brain networks. The decreased clustering coefficient in temporal and subcortical regions and the increased path length between subcortical and frontal regions may contribute to AE. These findings provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of AE.

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“…Using graph theoretical approaches, previous studies have shown that the brain networks of healthy subjects possess an economical small-world topology (i.e., high clustering coefficient and low path length), an architecture that enables both the specialization and the integration of distributed networks at low wiring costs (Bullmore and Sporns, 2009). In previous neuroimaging studies, altered small-world topology has been observed in various brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, reporting a suboptimal lattice-like network organization with an increased clustering coefficient and an increased path length (He et al, 2008;Zhang et al, 2012Zhang et al, , 2019Cao et al, 2013). Networks as such have been shown to be associated with reduced signal propagation speed and synchronizability compared with small-world networks, resulting in less efficiency in global integration (Strogatz, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aberrant Brain Network Integration and Segregation in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Revealed by Structural Connectomics

Yang

Zhang

et al. 2020

Front. Neurosci.

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Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common forms of peripheral neuropathy, and its incidence has been increasing. Mounting evidence has shown that patients with DPN have been associated with widespread alterations in the structure, function and connectivity of the brain, suggesting possible alterations in large-scale brain networks. Using structural covariance networks as well as advanced graph-theory-based computational approaches, we investigated the topological abnormalities of large-scale brain networks for a relatively large sample of patients with DPN (N = 67) compared to matched healthy controls (HCs; N = 88). Compared with HCs, the structural covariance networks of patients with DPN showed an increased characteristic path length, clustering coefficient, sigma, transitivity, and modularity, suggestive of inefficient global integration and increased local segregation. These findings may improve our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying alterations in the central nervous system of patients with DPN from the perspective of large-scale structural brain networks.

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Abnormal topological organization of structural covariance networks in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cited by 35 publications

References 132 publications

Structural Connectivity Alterations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Graph Theory Based Imaging Study

Structural Connectivity Alterations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Graph Theory Based Imaging Study

Reduced segregation and integration of structural brain network associated with sympathetic and dorsal penile nerve activity in anejaculation patients: a graph‐based connectome study

Aberrant Brain Network Integration and Segregation in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Revealed by Structural Connectomics

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