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Default Mode Network Oscillatory Coupling Is Increased Following Concussion.

Benjamin T. Dunkley, Karolina Urban, Leodante Da Costa, Simeon M Wong, Elizabeth W Pang, Margot J Taylor

Frontiers in Neurology April 26, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00280 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational case-control study Peer reviewed
Sample size 40
Population 40 males, 20 with concussion and 20 without
Topics Default mode network
Keywords Magnetoencephalography Synchrony Concussion Functional connectivity Resting-state Neural oscillations
Key findings Concussion was associated with increased resting spectral connectivity in the default mode network and motor networks across alpha through gamma ranges compared with controls, not explained by power spectrum density. Increased coupling correlated with symptoms in both networks, but after adjusting for comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and ADHD, only the default mode network remained associated with symptoms.

Abstract

Concussion is a common form of mild traumatic brain injury. Despite the descriptor "mild," a single injury can leave long-lasting and sustained alterations to brain function, including changes to localized activity and large-scale interregional communication. Cognitive complaints are thought to arise from such functional deficits. We investigated the impact of injury on neurophysiological and functionally specialized resting networks, known as intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), using magnetoencephalography. We assessed neurophysiological connectivity in 40 males, 20 with concussion and 20 without. Regions-of-interest that comprise nodes of ICNs were defined, and their time courses derived using a beamformer approach. Pairwise fluctuations and covariations in band-limited amplitude envelopes were computed reflecting measures of functional connectivity. Intra-network connectivity was compared between groups using permutation testing and correlated with symptoms. We observed increased resting spectral connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) and motor networks (MOTs) in our concussion group when compared with controls, across alpha through gamma ranges. Moreover, these differences were not explained by power spectrum density within the ICNs. Furthermore, this increased coupling was significantly associated with symptoms in the DMN and MOTs-but once accounting for comorbidities (including, depression, anxiety, and ADHD) only the DMN continued to be associated with symptoms. The DMN plays a critical role in shifting between cognitive tasks. These data suggest even a single concussion can perturb the intrinsic coupling of this functionally specialized network in the brain, and may explain persistent and wide-ranging symptomatology.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on default mode network, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
A default mode of brain function Normal adult human brain 2001 Observational study
Resting-State Functional Connectivity Reflects Structural Connectivity in the Default Mode Network Healthy subjects 2008 Observational cohort
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls 2005 Observational cohort n = 20
Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls 2011 Observational cohort
The precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex plays a pivotal role in the default mode network: Evidence from a partial correlation network analysis Healthy subjects 2008 Observational study

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