Vulnerable brain regions in adolescent major depressive disorder:A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Adolescent major depressive disorder(MDD)is a significant mental health concern that often leads to recurrent depression in adulthood.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)offers unique insights into the neural mechanisms underlying this condition.However,despite previous research,the specific vulnerable brain regions affected in adolescent MDD patients have not been fully elucidated.AIM To identify consistent vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients using rs-fMRI and activation likelihood estimation(ALE)meta-analysis.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature search through July 12,2023,for studies investigating brain functional changes in adolescent MDD patients.We utilized regional homogeneity(ReHo),amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and fractional ALFF(fALFF)analyses.We compared the regions of aberrant spontaneous neural activity in adolescents with MDD vs healthy controls(HCs)using ALE.RESULTS Ten studies(369 adolescent MDD patients and 313 HCs)were included.Combining the ReHo and ALFF/fALFF data,the results revealed that the activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus was lower in the adolescent MDD patients than in the HCs(voxel size:648 mm3,P<0.05),and no brain region exhibited increased activity.Based on the ALFF data,we found decreased activity in the right cuneus and left precuneus in adolescent MDD patients(voxel size:736 mm3,P<0.05),with no regions exhibiting increased activity.CONCLUSION Through ALE meta-analysis,we consistently identified the right cuneus and left precuneus as vulnerable brain regions in adolescent MDD patients,increasing our understanding of the neuropathology of affected adolescents.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and support vector machines for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder in adolescents

BACKGROUND Research has found that the amygdala plays a significant role in underlying pathology of major depressive disorder(MDD).However,few studies have explored machine learning-assisted diagnostic biomarkers based on amygdala functional connectivity(FC).AIM To investigate the analysis of neuroimaging biomarkers as a streamlined approach for the diagnosis of MDD in adolescents.METHODS Forty-four adolescents diagnosed with MDD and 43 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging,the FC was compared between the adolescents with MDD and the healthy controls,with the bilateral amygdala serving as the seed point,followed by statistical analysis of the results.The support vector machine(SVM)method was then applied to classify functional connections in various brain regions and to evaluate the neurophysiological characteristics associated with MDD.RESULTS Compared to the controls and using the bilateral amygdala as the region of interest,patients with MDD showed significantly lower FC values in the left inferior temporal gyrus,bilateral calcarine,right lingual gyrus,and left superior occipital gyrus.However,there was an increase in the FC value in Vermis-10.The SVM analysis revealed that the reduction in the FC value in the right lingual gyrus could effectively differentiate patients with MDD from healthy controls,achieving a diagnostic accuracy of 83.91%,sensitivity of 79.55%,specificity of 88.37%,and an area under the curve of 67.65%.CONCLUSION The results showed that an abnormal FC value in the right lingual gyrus was effective as a neuroimaging biomarker to distinguish patients with MDD from healthy controls.

Abnormal intrinsic brain activity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment revealed by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation： a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Background Previous studies have shown that brain functional activity in the resting state is impaired in Alzheimer＇s disease （AD） patients. However, alterations in intrinsic brain activity patterns in mild cognitive impairment （MCI） patients are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the differences in regional intrinsic activities throughout the whole brain between aMCI patients and controls. Methods In the present study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） was performed on 18 amnestic MCI （aMCI） patients, 18 mild AD patients and 20 healthy elderly subjects. And amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation （ALFF） method was used. Results Compared with healthy elderly subjects, aMCI patients showed decreased ALFF in the right hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex, left lateral temporal cortex, and right ventral medial prefrontal cortex （vMPFC） and increased ALFF in the left temporal-parietal junction （TPJ） and inferior parietal Iobule （IPL）. Mild AD patients showed decreased ALFF in the left TPJ, posterior IPL （plPL）, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex compared with aMCI patients. Mild AD patients also had decreased ALFF in the right posterior cingulate cortex, right vMPFC and bilateral dorsal MPFC （dMPFC） compared with healthy elderly subjects. Conclusions Decreased intrinsic activities in brain regions closely related to episodic memory were found in aMCI and AD patients. Increased TPJ and IPL activity may indicate compensatory mechanisms for loss of memory function in aMCI patients. These findings suggest that the fMRI based on ALFF analysis may provide a useful tool in the study of aMCI patients.

An association study of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R gene polymorphism and the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in major depressive disorder

Objective To explore the influence of a polymorphism of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R(PTPRR)gene rs1513105 on abnormal brain activities in resting-state patients with major depressive disorder(MDD)using the gene-imaging technology.Methods 54MDD and 43 gender-,age-,and education-matched con-

RESTplus: an improved toolkit for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data processing

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI)[1,2] provides relatively high spatial and temporal resolution for mapping spontaneous brain activity non-invasively. It has been widely used in cognitive neuroscience and clinical studies. A number of comprehensive software packages have been developed for RS-fMRI data analysis, among which a MATLAB package named REST (RESing-state fMRI data analysis Toolkit, released in October 2008 at http://www.restfmri.net)[3] is the earliest one dedicated to RS-fMRI analysis. REST focuses on RS-fMRI postprocessing metrics.

Altered regional homogeneity in post-traumatic stress disorder: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Objective Little is known about the brain systems that contribute to vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder （PTSD）. Comparison of the resting-state patterns of intrinsic functional synchronization, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）, between groups with and without PTSD following a traumatic event can help identify the neural mechanisms of the disorder and targets for intervention. Methods Fifty-four PTSD patients and 72 matched traumatized subjects who experienced the 2008 Sichuan earthquake were imaged with blood oxygen level-dependent （BOLD） fMRI and analyzed using the measure of regional homogeneity （ReHo） during the resting state. Results PTSD patients presented enhanced ReHo in the left inferior parietal lobule and right superior frontal gyrus, and reduced ReHo in the right middle temporal gyrus and lingual gyrus, relative to traumatized individuals without PTSD. Conclusion Our findings showed that abnormal brain activity exists under resting conditions in PTSD patients who had been exposed to a major earthquake. Alterations in the local functional connectivity of cortical regions are likely to contribute to the neural mechanisms underlying PTSD.

Effect and cerebral mechanism of moxibustion at heat-sensitized Yaoyangguan(GV3)in patients with lumbar disc herniation and myofascial pain syndrome by resting-state functionality magnetic resonance imaging:protocol for an observational study

We want to explore the analgesic brain effect of the moxibustion at heat-sensitized Yaoyangguan(GV3)in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH)and myofascial pain syndrome(MPS).In an assessor-blinded observational study,we will include 15 LDH and 15 MPS.They will accept same treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion at Yaoyangguan(GV3).The resting-state functionality magnetic resonance imaging image data of brain activities before and after treatment will be analyzed by mean fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation,regional homogeneity analysis and brain functional connection.We select seed of first sensory cortex,second sensory cortex,insula cortex,periaqueductal gray and anterior cingulate cortex as the regions of interest to analyse the relationship between brain functional connectivity of pain-related networks and clinical data.Our study could disclose key brain targets and central response characteristics of the analgesic brain effect and the brain functional connection of heat-sensitive moxibustion.

Altered regional brain activity and functional connectivity in primary intravaginal anejaculation patients revealed by resting-state fMRI

Ejaculation is regulated by the central nervous system.However,the central pathophysiology of primary intravaginal anejaculation(PIAJ)is unclear.The present study aimed to examine the changes in regional brain activity and functional connectivity underlying PIAJ.A total of 20 PIAJ patients and 16 healthy controls(HCs)were enrolled from September 2020 to September 2022 in the Department of Andrology,Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital(Nanjing,China).Magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from all participants and then were preprocessed.The measures of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation(fALFF),regional homogeneity(ReHo),and functional connectivity(FC)were calculated and compared between the groups.PIAJ patients showed increased fALFF values in the left precuneus compared with HCs.Additionally,PIAJ patients showed increased ReHo values in the left precuneus,left postcentral gyrus,left superior occipital gyrus,left calcarine fissure,right precuneus,and right middle temporal gyrus,and decreased ReHo values in the left inferior parietal gyrus,compared with HCs.Finally,brain regions with altered fALFF and ReHo values in PIAJ patients showed increased FC with widespread cortical regions,which included the frontal,parietal,temporal,and occipital regions,compared with HCs.In conclusion,increased regional brain activity in the parietal,temporal,and occipital regions,and increased FC between these brain regions,may be associated with PIAJ occurrence.

Brain Mechanisms of College Students’ Social Adjustment: Evidence from Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

This study investigated the neural basis of social adjustment using multimodal brain imaging and social-adjustment measurements to analyze functional and structural brain features during social adjustment in college students. The results showed that, regarding brain function, some dimensions of social adjustment were associated with the insula, and some regions of the frontal and occipital lobes. Self-adjustment and satisfaction required activation of the middle frontal gyrus, while career adjustment and academic adjustment required inhibition of the inferior frontal gyrus and lingual gyrus, respectively. Decreased metabolic activity of the lingual gyrus was beneficial for obtaining satisfaction. Regarding brain structure, the total score and some dimensions of social adaptation were associated with the gray matter of portions of the temporal and parietal lobes. The superior temporal gyrus was associated with the total social adjustment and satisfaction score, the middle temporal gyrus with campus-life adjustment and satisfaction, and the post central gyrus and the inferior parietal lobule with emotional adjustment. The changes in the gray matter volume of these brain regions to a certain extent reflected socially adaptive behaviors. The results suggest that social adaptability is associated with various brain regions dispersed among both hemispheres of the brain, and requires synergistic inter-actions between multiple brain regions and both brain hemispheres.

Abnormal Degree Centrality of Bilateral Putamen and Left Superior Frontal Gyrus in Schizophrenia with Auditory Hallucinations： A Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Background： Dysconnectivity hypothesis of schizophrenia has been increasingly emphasized. Recent researches showed that this dysconnectivity might be related to occurrence of auditory hallucination （AH）. However, there is still no consistent conclusion. This study aimed to explore intrinsic dysconnectivity pattern of whole-brain functional networks at voxel level in schizophrenic with AH. Methods： Auditory hallucinated patients group （n = 42 APG）, no hallucinated patients group （n = 42 NPG） and normal controls （n = 84 NCs） were analyzed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The functional connectivity metrics index （degree centrality [DC]） across the entire brain networks was calculated and evaluated among three groups. Results： DC decreased in the bilateral putamen and increased in the left superior frontal gyrus in all the patients. However, in APG. the changes of DC were more obvious compared with NPG. Symptomology scores were negatively correlated with the DC of bilateral putamen in all patients. AH score of APG positively correlated with the DC in left superior frontal gyrus but negatively correlated with the DC in bilateral putamen. Conclusion： Our findings corroborated that schizophrenia was characterized by functional dysconnectivity, and the abnormal DC in bilateral putamen and left superior frontal gyrus might be crucial in the occurrence of AH.

Abnormal characterization of dynamic functional connectivity in Alzheimer’s disease

Numerous studies have shown abnormal brain functional connectivity in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease(AD)or amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI).However,most studies examined traditional resting state functional connections,ignoring the instantaneous connection mode of the whole brain.In this case-control study,we used a new method called dynamic functional connectivity(DFC)to look for abnormalities in patients with AD and aMCI.We calculated dynamic functional connectivity strength from functional magnetic resonance imaging data for each participant,and then used a support vector machine to classify AD patients and normal controls.Finally,we highlighted brain regions and brain networks that made the largest contributions to the classification.We found differences in dynamic function connectivity strength in the left precuneus,default mode network,and dorsal attention network among normal controls,aMCI patients,and AD patients.These abnormalities are potential imaging markers for the early diagnosis of AD.

Abnormal Local Activity and Functional Dysconnectivity in Patients with Schizophrenia Having Auditory Verbal Hallucinations

Auditory verbal hallucination(AVH)is emphasized as a pathological hallmark of schizophrenia.Neuroimaging studies provide evidence linking AVH to overlapping functional abnormalities in distributed networks.However,no clear conclusion has still been reached.This study aimed to further explore the brain activity of patients with schizophrenia having AVH from both local activity(LA)and functional connectivity(FC)insights,while excluding confounding factors from other positive symptoms.A total of 42 patients with AVH(AVH patients group,APG),26 without AVH(non-AVH patients group,NPG),and 82 normal controls(NC)underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI).LA measures,including regional homogeneity(ReHo)and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(fALFF),and FC measures were evaluated to understand the neuroimaging mechanism of AVH.APG showed increased ReHo and fALFF in the bilateral putamen(Put)compared with NPG and NC.FC analysis(using bilateral putamen as seeds)revealed that all patients showed abnormal FC of multiple resting state network regions,including the anterior and post cingulate cortex,middle frontal gyrus,inferior parietal gyrus,and left angular gyrus.Interestingly,APG showed significantly decreased FC of insula extending to the superior temporal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus compared with NPG and NC.The present findings suggested a significant correlation of abnormal LA and dysfunctional putamen-auditory cortical connectivity with the neuropathological mechanism of AVH,providing evidence for the functional disconnection hypothesis of schizophrenia.

Large-scale functional connectivity predicts cognitive impairment related to type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Large-scale functional connectivity(LSFC)patterns in the brain have unique intrinsic characteristics.Abnormal LSFC patterns have been found in patients with dementia,as well as in those with mild cognitive impairment(MCI),and these patterns predicted their cognitive performance.It has been reported that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)may develop MCI that could progress to dementia.We investigated whether we could adopt LSFC patterns as discriminative features to predict the cognitive function of patients with T2DM,using connectome-based predictive modeling(CPM)and a support vector machine.AIM To investigate the utility of LSFC for predicting cognitive impairment related to T2DM more accurately and reliably.METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were derived from 42 patients with T2DM and 24 healthy controls.Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA).Patients with T2DM were divided into two groups,according to the presence(T2DM-C;n=16)or absence(T2DM-NC;n=26)of MCI.Brain regions were marked using Harvard Oxford(HOA-112),automated anatomical labeling(AAL-116),and 264-region functional(Power-264)atlases.LSFC biomarkers for predicting MoCA scores were identified using a new CPM technique.Subsequently,we used a support vector machine based on LSFC patterns for among-group differentiation.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve determined the appearance of the classification.RESULTS CPM could predict the MoCA scores in patients with T2DM(Pearson’s correlation coefficient between predicted and actual MoCA scores,r=0.32,P=0.0066[HOA-112 atlas];r=0.32,P=0.0078[AAL-116 atlas];r=0.42,P=0.0038[Power-264 atlas]),indicating that LSFC patterns represent cognition-level measures in these patients.Positive(anti-correlated)LSFC networks based on the Power-264 atlas showed the best predictive performance;moreover,we observed new brain regions of interest associated with T2DM-related cognition.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values(T2DM-NC group vs.T2DM-C group)were 0.65-0.70,with LSFC matrices based on HOA-112 and Power-264 atlases having the highest value(0.70).Most discriminative and attractive LSFCs were related to the default mode network,limbic system,and basal ganglia.CONCLUSION LSFC provides neuroimaging-based information that may be useful in detecting MCI early and accurately in patients with T2DM.

Altered functional connectivity of prefrontal cortex in chronic heroin abusers

In this study, we investigated alterations in the resting-state functional connectivity of the prefrontal cortex in chronic heroin abusers using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found that, compared with normal controls, in heroin abusers the left prefrontal cortex showed decreased functional connectivity with the left hippocampus, right anterior cingulate, left middle frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus and right precuneus. However, the right prefrontal cortex showed decreased functional connectivity with the left orbital frontal cortex and the left middle frontal gyrus in chronic heroin abusers. These alterations of resting-state functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortices of heroin abusers suggest that their frontal executive neural network may be impaired, and that this may contribute to their continued heroin abuse and relapse after withdrawal.

Modulatory effect of International standard Scalp Acupuncture on brain activation in the elderly as revealed by resting-state fMRI

The specific mechanisms by which acupuncture affects the central nervous system are unclear. In the International Standard Scalp Acupuncture system, acupuncture needles are applied at the middle line of the vertex, anterior parietal-temporal oblique line, and the posterior parietal-temporal oblique line. We conducted a single-arm prospective clinical trial in which seven healthy elderly volunteers (three men and four women;50–70 years old) received International Standard Scalp Acupuncture at MS5 (the mid-sagittal line between Baihui (DU20) and Qianding (DU21)), the left MS6 (line joining Sishencong (EX-HN1) and Xuanli (GB6)), and the left MS7 (line joining DU20 and Qubin (GB7)). After acupuncture, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated changes in the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations and regional homogeneity in various areas, showing remarkable enhancement of regional homogeneity in the bilateral anterior cingulate, left medial frontal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus. Functional connectivity based on a seed region at the right middle frontal gyrus (42, 51, 9) decreased at the bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus. Our data preliminarily indicates that the international standard scalp acupuncture in healthy elderly participants specifcally enhances the correlation between the brain regions involved in cognition and implementation of the brain network regulation system and the surrounding adjacent brain regions. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the China-Japan Union Hospital at Jilin University, China, on July 18, 2016 (approval No. 2016ks043).

Numerical study of resting-state fMRI based on kernel ICA

In order to facilitate the extraction of the default mode network（DMN）, reduce the data complexity of the functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）and overcome the restriction of the linearity of the mixing process encountered with the independent component analysis（ICA）, a framework of dimensionality reduction and nonlinear transformation is proposed. First, the principal component analysis（PCA）is applied to reduce the time dimension 153 594×128 of the fMRI data to 153 594×5 for simplifying complexity computation and obtaining 95% of the information. Secondly, a new kernel-based nonlinear ICA method referred as the kernel ICA（KICA）based on the Gaussian kernel is introduced to analyze the resting-state fMRI data and extract the DMN. Experimental results show that the KICA provides a better performance for the resting-state fMRI data analysis compared with the classical ICA. Furthermore, the DMN is accurately extracted and the noise is reduced.

Paired associated magnetic stimulation promotes neural repair in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke

Paired associative stimulation has been used in stroke patients as an innovative recovery treatment.However,the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of paired associative stimulation on neurological function remain unclear.In this study,rats were randomly divided into middle cerebral occlusion model(MCAO)and paired associated magnetic stimulation(PAMS)groups.The MCAO rat model was produced by middle cerebral artery embolization.The PAMS group received PAMS on days 3 to 20 post MCAO.The MCAO group received sham stimulation,three times every week.Within 18 days after ischemia,rats were subjected to behavioral experiments—the foot-fault test,the balance beam walking test,and the ladder walking test.Balance ability was improved on days 15 and 17,and the footfault rate was less in their affected limb on day 15 in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group.Western blot assay showed that the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor,glutamate receptor 2/3,postsynaptic density protein 95 and synapsin-1 were significantly increased in the PAMS group compared with the MCAO group in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex on day 21.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that regional brain activities in the sensorimotor cortex were increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere,but decreased in the contralateral hemisphere on day 20.By finite element simulation,the electric field distribution showed a higher intensity,of approximately 0.4 A/m^2,in the ischemic cortex compared with the contralateral cortex in the template.Together,our findings show that PAMS upregulates neuroplasticity-related proteins,increases regional brain activity,and promotes functional recovery in the affected sensorimotor cortex in the rat MCAO model.The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.

Resting-state network complexity and magnitude changes in neonates with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging has revealed disrupted brain network connectivity in adults and teenagers with cerebral palsy. However, the specific brain networks implicated in neonatal cases remain poorly understood. In this study, we recruited 14 termborn infants with mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and 14 term-born infants with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy from Changzhou Children's Hospital, China. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data showed efficient small-world organization in whole-brain networks in both the mild and severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy groups. However, compared with the mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group, the severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group exhibited decreased local efficiency and a low clustering coefficient. The distribution of hub regions in the functional networks had fewer nodes in the severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group compared with the mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy group. Moreover, nodal efficiency was reduced in the left rolandic operculum, left supramarginal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and right middle temporal gyrus. These results suggest that the topological structure of the resting state functional network in children with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is clearly distinct from that in children with mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and may be associated with impaired language, motion, and cognition. These data indicate that it may be possible to make early predictions regarding brain development in children with severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, enabling early interventions targeting brain function. This study was approved by the Regional Ethics Review Boards of the Changzhou Children's Hospital(approval No. 2013-001) on January 31, 2013. Informed consent was obtained from the family members of the children. The trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration number: ChiCTR1800016409) and the protocol version is 1.0.

Altered intra- and inter-network brain functional connectivity in upper-limb amputees revealed through independent component analysis

Although cerebral neuroplasticity following amputation has been observed, little is understood about how network-level functional reorganization occurs in the brain following upper-limb amputation. The objective of this study was to analyze alterations in brain network functional connectivity(FC) in upper-limb amputees(ULAs). This observational study included 40 ULAs and 40 healthy control subjects;all participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Changes in intra-and inter-network FC in ULAs were quantified using independent component analysis and brain network FC analysis. We also analyzed the correlation between FC and clinical manifestations, such as pain. We identified 11 independent components using independent component analysis from all subjects. In ULAs, intra-network FC was decreased in the left precuneus(precuneus gyrus) within the dorsal attention network and left precentral(precentral gyrus) within the auditory network;but increased in the left Parietal_Inf(inferior parietal, but supramarginal and angular gyri) within the ventral sensorimotor network, right Cerebelum_Crus2(crus Ⅱ of cerebellum) and left Temporal_Mid(middle temporal gyrus) within the ventral attention network, and left Rolandic_Oper(rolandic operculum) within the auditory network. ULAs also showed decreased inter-network FCs between the dorsal sensorimotor network and ventral sensorimotor network, the dorsal sensorimotor network and right frontoparietal network, and the dorsal sensorimotor network and dorsal attention network. Correlation analyses revealed negative correlations between inter-network FC changes and residual limb pain and phantom limb pain scores, but positive correlations between inter-network FC changes and daily activity hours of stump limb. These results show that post-amputation plasticity in ULAs is not restricted to local remapping;rather, it also occurs at a network level across several cortical regions. This observation provides additional insights into the plasticity of brain networks after upper-limb amputation, and could contribute to identification of the mechanisms underlying post-amputation pain.

Analysis of the differences in brain function response after acupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(足三里ST36)in the patients with functional dyspepsia based on fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of rest functional magnetic resonance imaging

Objective:To explore the differences in the central response after acupuncture and moxibusbution at Zusanli(足三里ST36) in treatment of functional dyspepsia(FD) based on the analysis of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(fALFF) of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rfMRI).Methods:A total of 60 patients with FD were randomized into an acupuncture group and a moxibustion group,30 cases in each one.In the acupuncture group,acupuncture was applied to bilateral ST36.In the moxibustion group,moxibustion was exerted at bilateral ST36.The treatment was given once a day,5 times a week,totally for 4 weeks in each group,including 20 treatments with acupuncture or moxibustion.Separately,before and at the end of treatment,rfMRI scanning was conducted in two groups.Using data processing assistant for resting-state fMRI(DPARSF) software and MATLAB data platform,rfMRI data were collected for preprocessing and fALFF analysis.Results:Compared with the data before treatment,after treated with acupuncture at ST36 in FD patients,fALFF value was reduced in the right superior frontal gyrus,left superior frontal gyrus,left inferior frontal gyrus,right cuneus,left precuneus,right middle occipital gyrus,left middle occipital gyrus,etc.,and it was increased in the left parahippocampus,right parahippocampus,left cerebellum,etc(all P <0.01).After treated with moxibustion,the remarkable increase of fALFF was not discovered in brain areas,but fALFF decreased significantly in the left superior parietal gyrus(P <0.01).Compared with moxibustion at ST36,after acupuncture at ST36 in FD patients,the increase of fALFF appeared in the right putamen and the decrease of it occurred in the middle occipital gyrus,indicating the statistical significance(both P <0.05).Conclusion:The differences in central function responses are induced in treamtent with acupuncture and moxibustion,which is probably related to the resting-state default network associated with targeted regulation and ventral attention of brain areas in functional dyspepsia.