Potential Intra-or Cross-network Functional Reorganization Of The Triple Unifying Networks In Frontal Glioma Patients

Objective: Patients with frontal gliomas may experience cognitive changes,with potential dysfunctions of resting-state networks(RSNs).The purpose of this study was to explore the three internal unified RSNs networks of patients with frontal glioma,namely the default mode network(DMN),the executive control network(ECN),and the salient network(SN).In addition,we studied the connection patterns within and between the triple unifying networks,and further evaluated the relationship between the significantly functional connectivity changes and the neuropsychological scores.Methods: This study included 13 patients with frontal lobe glioma.The assessment of the clinical neuropsychological scale and the resting magnetic resonance scan were collected about a week before the operation.In addition,10 healthy subjects with matching age,gender and education were also recruited.Through group independent component analysis(Group-ICA,GICA),statistic analysis was performed to identify the characteristics of the selected RSNs activity.The time series of significantly different brain regions in each network were further extracted as Region of interest(ROIs),and the functional connectivity between the altered regions were calculated and compared.Subsequently,the differential brain area signals were extracted for further partial correlation analysis.Results: Compared with the control group,the DMN,ECN,and SN in the patients group have significant altered functional connectivity within each network.The alterations were manifested as subdued connectivity,except the precuneus region in ventral default mode network(v DMN).The ROI-based analysis revealed that the number of significant functional connectivity(FCs)between ROIs in the patient group was higher than that in the control group.Also,a significantly enhanced functional connectivity between the right corner gyrus(r AG)and the left posterior cingulate cortex(l PC)was found.In addition,changes in neural activity of RSNs in patients with frontal gliomas were positively correlated with certain aspects of cognitive function.Conclusion: This study suggests that frontal gliomas can cause extensive changes in resting-state network level,which may be related to clinical cognitive dysfunction.In addition,potential intra-or cross-network functional reorganization indicates that,in the situations of a frontal glioma,there is a certain level of network-level adaptability in the brain.