Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke
BackgroundMotor and cognitive impairments are common symptoms of basal ganglia (BG) stroke, although the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the alterations in functional connectivity (FC) between thalamic subregions post-BG stroke via resting-state f...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Neurology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1584290/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849467348887535616 |
|---|---|
| author | Qiansheng Cheng Qiansheng Cheng Shoufeng Liu Shoufeng Liu Junling Wang Junling Wang Yajing Wang Yajing Wang Bihui Han Bihui Han Lichen Wang Lichen Wang Song Jin Song Jin |
| author_facet | Qiansheng Cheng Qiansheng Cheng Shoufeng Liu Shoufeng Liu Junling Wang Junling Wang Yajing Wang Yajing Wang Bihui Han Bihui Han Lichen Wang Lichen Wang Song Jin Song Jin |
| author_sort | Qiansheng Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundMotor and cognitive impairments are common symptoms of basal ganglia (BG) stroke, although the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the alterations in functional connectivity (FC) between thalamic subregions post-BG stroke via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) measurements.MethodsThis cross-sectional study compared 40 patients with BG stroke and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Seed-based FC analysis was performed for 14 thalamic subregions. Correlations between FC changes and Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA)/Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were assessed.ResultsPatients exhibited hyperconnectivity between the left thalamic subregion connected with the sensory cortex (SC_thalamus) and left precuneus (t = 3.97, pFWE = 0.041) and the right SC_thalamus–left angular gyrus (t = 4.50, pFWE = 0.032). Hypoconnectivity emerged between the left thalamic subregion connected with the prefrontal cortex (PFC_thalamus) and right supramarginal gyrus (t = −5.54, pFWE = 0.015), left thalamic subregion connected with the temporal cortex (TC_thalamus) and right postcentral gyrus (t = −4.95, pFWE = 0.022), and right thalamic subregion connected with the primary motor cortex (M1_thalamus) and right medial suprafrontal gyrus (t = −5.62, pFWE = 0.012). FC strength between the right M1_thalamus and right medial suprafrontal gyrus was positively correlated with FMA (r = 0.484, pFDR = 0.033), while left PFC_thalamus–right supramarginal connectivity predicted MMSE performance (r = 0.490, pFDR = 0.021).ConclusionBG stroke disrupts thalamocortical circuitry at subregional levels, with distinct FC patterns linking to motor/cognitive deficits. These network-level insights may guide targeted neuromodulation therapies. The identified FC alterations could serve as biomarkers for monitoring recovery and personalizing interventions to improve post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-787cb2594e094555afb7bcdbb988b66d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-2295 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neurology |
| spelling | doaj-art-787cb2594e094555afb7bcdbb988b66d2025-08-20T03:26:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-06-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15842901584290Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia strokeQiansheng Cheng0Qiansheng Cheng1Shoufeng Liu2Shoufeng Liu3Junling Wang4Junling Wang5Yajing Wang6Yajing Wang7Bihui Han8Bihui Han9Lichen Wang10Lichen Wang11Song Jin12Song Jin13Department of Radiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, ChinaHuanhu Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, ChinaBackgroundMotor and cognitive impairments are common symptoms of basal ganglia (BG) stroke, although the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the alterations in functional connectivity (FC) between thalamic subregions post-BG stroke via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) measurements.MethodsThis cross-sectional study compared 40 patients with BG stroke and 35 healthy controls (HCs). Seed-based FC analysis was performed for 14 thalamic subregions. Correlations between FC changes and Fugl–Meyer Assessment (FMA)/Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were assessed.ResultsPatients exhibited hyperconnectivity between the left thalamic subregion connected with the sensory cortex (SC_thalamus) and left precuneus (t = 3.97, pFWE = 0.041) and the right SC_thalamus–left angular gyrus (t = 4.50, pFWE = 0.032). Hypoconnectivity emerged between the left thalamic subregion connected with the prefrontal cortex (PFC_thalamus) and right supramarginal gyrus (t = −5.54, pFWE = 0.015), left thalamic subregion connected with the temporal cortex (TC_thalamus) and right postcentral gyrus (t = −4.95, pFWE = 0.022), and right thalamic subregion connected with the primary motor cortex (M1_thalamus) and right medial suprafrontal gyrus (t = −5.62, pFWE = 0.012). FC strength between the right M1_thalamus and right medial suprafrontal gyrus was positively correlated with FMA (r = 0.484, pFDR = 0.033), while left PFC_thalamus–right supramarginal connectivity predicted MMSE performance (r = 0.490, pFDR = 0.021).ConclusionBG stroke disrupts thalamocortical circuitry at subregional levels, with distinct FC patterns linking to motor/cognitive deficits. These network-level insights may guide targeted neuromodulation therapies. The identified FC alterations could serve as biomarkers for monitoring recovery and personalizing interventions to improve post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1584290/fullbasal ganglia strokebrainfunctional connectivityfunctional magnetic resonance imagingthalamic subregions |
| spellingShingle | Qiansheng Cheng Qiansheng Cheng Shoufeng Liu Shoufeng Liu Junling Wang Junling Wang Yajing Wang Yajing Wang Bihui Han Bihui Han Lichen Wang Lichen Wang Song Jin Song Jin Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke Frontiers in Neurology basal ganglia stroke brain functional connectivity functional magnetic resonance imaging thalamic subregions |
| title | Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke |
| title_full | Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke |
| title_fullStr | Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke |
| title_short | Alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke |
| title_sort | alterations in the functional connectivity of thalamic subregions after basal ganglia stroke |
| topic | basal ganglia stroke brain functional connectivity functional magnetic resonance imaging thalamic subregions |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1584290/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT qianshengcheng alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT qianshengcheng alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT shoufengliu alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT shoufengliu alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT junlingwang alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT junlingwang alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT yajingwang alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT yajingwang alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT bihuihan alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT bihuihan alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT lichenwang alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT lichenwang alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT songjin alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke AT songjin alterationsinthefunctionalconnectivityofthalamicsubregionsafterbasalgangliastroke |