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Neuroradiology

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01-08-2019 | Functional Neuroradiology

Dysregulation of resting-state functional connectivity in patients with Cushing’s disease

Authors: Xin Wang, Tao Zhou, Peng Wang, Li Zhang, Shiyu Feng, Xianghui Meng, Xinguang Yu, Yanyang Zhang

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 8/2019

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the anatomical distance-dependent functional connectivity patterns in patients with active phase of Cushing’s disease (CD) and to evaluate the associations between hypercortisol exposure and regional normalized functional connectivity strengths (nFCSs).

Methods

Based on the fMRI data in 32 CD patients and 32 healthy controls (HCs), we computed the nFCSs for each voxel in the brain and further divided them into long-range and short-range nFCSs. General linear models was used to investigate between-group differences in these nFCS metrics and the correlations between the nFCSs and clinical variables.

Results

Compared with HC, CD patients showed dysregulation of the nFCSs mainly in the default mode network. They showed an overall higher nFCS in bilateral parahippocampal cortex mainly owing to the disruption of long-range nFCS and a relatively lower nFCS in bilateral posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), bilateral lateral parietal cortex (LP), and right prefrontal cortex (PFC). In addition, their long-range nFCS was lower in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, PCC, and LP; short-range nFCS was lower in the bilateral PFC. Notably, the positive correlation between the nFCSs in their right parahippocampal cortex and serum cortisol levels at 08:00 remained significant after taking the anatomical distance into consideration.

Conclusion

The discrepant functional connectivity patterns found in our study indicated a hypercortisol-associated, distance-dependent disruption of resting-state functional connectivity in patients with active CD. We provide novel insights into the impacts of hypercortisol exposure and the pathophysiologic mechanisms of CD, which may facilitate advances in CD intervention ultimately.

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Title: Dysregulation of resting-state functional connectivity in patients with Cushing’s disease
Authors: Xin Wang
Tao Zhou
Peng Wang
Li Zhang
Shiyu Feng
Xianghui Meng
Xinguang Yu
Yanyang Zhang
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-019-02223-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Dysregulation of resting-state functional connectivity in patients with Cushing’s disease

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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