Altered Intra- and Inter-Network Functional Connectivity in Patients With Crohn's Disease: An Independent Component Analysis-Based Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

BackgroundMany studies have reported changes in the structure and function of several brain areas in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, little is known about whether the possible functional connectivity of resting-state networks (RSNs) is altered in CD patients. PurposeAim to investigate the intra- and inter-network alterations between related RSNs in patients with CD and the potential relationships between altered neuroimaging and CD clinical indices. Materials and MethodsIn this study, 20 CD patients and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. All participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging examination. We used independent component analysis (ICA) to explore the changes in RSNs and evaluated functional connectivity between different RSNs using functional network connectivity (FNC) analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed between altered intra- and inter-network functional connectivity and CD clinical index. ResultsSix CD-related RSNs were identified via ICA, namely the high visual, prime visual, language, dorsal default mode, posterior insula, and precuneus networks. Compared to healthy controls, patients with CD showed significant changes in prime visual and language networks. Additionally, the functional connectivity (FC) values of the left calcarine within the prime visual network were negatively correlated with CD duration. The inter-alterations showed that a significantly increased FNC existed between the language and dorsal default mode networks. ConclusionThe results showed CD-related changes in brain functional networks. This evidence provides more insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain plasticity in CD.