Resting-state Functional MRI Evaluation Of Brain Function Changes In Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

Objective To evaluate the brain function changes of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia based on resting-state functional MRI.Methods Twenty-six patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were involved in ITN group and twenty-two healthy volunteers were selected as control group, all of them were right-handed. There were no statistical difference of age, gender distribution and education years between two groups (P>0.05). Subjects in both groups were examined by echo planner imaging (EPI) and spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in steady state, (3D-FSPGR) in the resting state. Meanwhile all subjects examined routine T2WI and FLAIR. Images were processed with Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI (DPASF) and mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (mfALFF) were acquired in the two groups. SPM8 and SPSS13.0 software were used to analyze the difference between ITN group and control group.Results 1. The mfALFF value in ITN group was lower than that in healthy controls in the right superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, Rolando area, supramarginalis gyrus, and the left anterior cingutate and paracingulate gyri, temporal pole:superior temporal gyrus (P<0.01).2. The mfALFF value in ITN group was higher than that in healthy controls in the left middle occipital gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, triangular part, fusiform gyrus, calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, cerebellum crustl, paracentral lobule, and the right superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral (P<0.01).Conclusion The mfALFF value in temporal lobe, frontal lobe, anterior cingulae, fusiform gyrus and supramarginal gyrus of ITN group were changed. These changes mean ITN patients had brain functional alter in resting-state and the changed brain regions may had relation with the control of pain and emotion regulation. The mechanism of ITN and abnormal brain region in occipital lobe, calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex were not clear, which may be related to pain control and visual stimulation.