Characteristics of the Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation in Ocular Hypertension Patients: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

Abstract

Background:

The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) method has been underutilized in research on the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of ocular hypertension (OH).

Purpose:

This study uses resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and fALFF to investigate the nature of spontaneous brain activity in OH patients and the relationship, if any, between changes in activity and clinical features.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 18 subjects (9 females and 9 males) with ocular hypertension (OH) and 18 healthy controls (HCs) matched for gender, age, and educational level were recruited to this study. All participants underwent an rs-fMRI scan, and spontaneous brain activity was assessed using the fALFF method. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to investigate differences between OH and HC groups.

Results:

The fALFF values of OH patients were significantly higher in the left precuneus lobe (LP), compared with the same region in controls (P < 0.05). Conversely, values in the left anterior cingulate lobe (LAC), were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in OH than in controls. However, no significant association was found between the mean fALFF values and clinical characteristics in either brain area.

Conclusion:

High spontaneous activity in two brain areas may reflect neuropathological mechanisms underpinning visual impairment in OH patients.

• Authors: Ying Liang, Yi-Cong Pan, Hui-Ye Shu, Xue-Mei Chou, Qian-Min Ge, Li-Juan Zhang, Qiu-Yu Li, Rong-Bing Liang, Han-Lin Li, Yi Shao
• Journal: Frontiers in medicine (Front Med (Lausanne)) Vol. 8 Pg. 687420 ( 2021) ISSN: 2296-858X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 35479659 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Liang, Pan, Shu, Chou, Ge, Zhang, Li, Liang, Li and Shao.