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Neurological Sciences

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14-08-2023 | Cluster Headache | Original Article

Altered functional connectivity of the thalamus and salience network in patients with cluster headache: a pilot study

Authors: Enchao Qiu, Xinbo Xing, Yan Wang, Lixia Tian

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background and objective

Previous studies have shown that the salience network (SN) and the thalamus are involved in cluster headache (CH) attacks. However, very little is known regarding the altered thalamus-SN functional connectivity in CH. The aim of this study was to explore alterations of functional connectivity between the thalamus and the SN in patients with CH to further gain insight into the pathophysiology of CH.

Materials and methods

The resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data of 21 patients with CH in the headache attack remission state during in-bout periods and 21 age- and sex-matched normal controls were obtained. The rs-fMRI data were analyzed by the independent component analysis (ICA) method, and the thalamus-SN functional connectivity in patients with right-sided and left-sided CH was compared with that in normal controls.

Results

Decreased functional connectivity was found between the thalamus, both ipsilateral and contralateral to the headache side, and the SN during headache remission state in both right-sided CH patients and left-sided CH patients.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the decreased functional connectivity between the thalamus and SN might be one of the pathologies underpinning the CH. This helps us to understand better the nature of the brain dysfunction in CH and the basic pathologies of CH, which implies that this deserves further investigation.

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Title: Altered functional connectivity of the thalamus and salience network in patients with cluster headache: a pilot study
Authors: Enchao Qiu
Xinbo Xing
Yan Wang
Lixia Tian
Publication date: 14-08-2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Cluster Headache
Headache
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-023-07011-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Altered functional connectivity of the thalamus and salience network in patients with cluster headache: a pilot study

Abstract

Background and objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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