Open AccessAltered eigenvector centrality is related to local resting‐state network functional connectivity in patients with longstanding type 1 diabetes mellitus
Author(s) -
van Duinkerken Eelco,
Schoonheim Menno M.,
IJzerman Richard G.,
Moll Annette C.,
LandeiraFernandez Jesus,
Klein Martin,
Diamant Michaela,
Snoek Frank J.,
Barkhof Frederik,
Wink AlleMeije
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.23617
Subject(s) - neuroscience , resting state fmri , cuneus , psychology , thalamus , medicine , functional magnetic resonance imaging , cardiology , precuneus
Abstract Introduction Longstanding type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is associated with microangiopathy and poorer cognition. In the brain, T1DM is related to increased functional resting‐state network (RSN) connectivity in patients without, which was decreased in patients with clinically evident microangiopathy. Subcortical structure seems affected in both patient groups. How these localized alterations affect the hierarchy of the functional network in T1DM is unknown. Eigenvector centrality mapping (ECM) and degree centrality are graph theoretical methods that allow determining the relative importance (ECM) and connectedness (degree centrality) of regions within the whole‐brain network hierarchy. Methods Therefore, ECM and degree centrality of resting‐state functional MRI‐scans were compared between 51 patients with, 53 patients without proliferative retinopathy, and 49 controls, and associated with RSN connectivity, subcortical gray matter volume, and cognition. Results In all patients versus controls, ECM and degree centrality were lower in the bilateral thalamus and the dorsal striatum, with lowest values in patients without proliferative retinopathy ( P FWE < 0.05). Increased ECM in this group versus patients with proliferative retinopathy was seen in the bilateral lateral occipital cortex, and in the right cuneus and occipital fusiform gyrus versus controls ( P FWE < 0.05). In all patients, ECM and degree centrality were related to altered visual, sensorimotor, and auditory and language RSN connectivity ( P FWE < 0.05), but not to subcortical gray matter volume or cognition ( P FDR > 0.05). Conclusion The findings suggested reorganization of the hierarchy of the cortical connectivity network in patients without proliferative retinopathy, which is lost with disease progression. Centrality seems sensitive to capture early T1DM‐related functional connectivity alterations, but not disease progression. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3623–3636, 2017 . © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.