Alterations of the default mode network and cognitive impairments in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Xianwei Hu, Haibao Wang, Youhui Tu, Mengdi Fei, Minmin Yin, Guanghe Fei, Yongqiang Yu
International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease February 7, 2018 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s146870 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 113 |
| Population | 30 control subjects and 83 COPD patients matched for demographic characteristics |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Keywords | Lung Humans Magnetic resonance imaging Brain mapping Risk factors Case-control studies Cross-sectional studies Cognition disorders Neuropsychological tests Middle aged Female Cognitive function |
| Key findings | COPD patients had significantly lower total cognitive function scores than controls (P<0.05), worsening with degree of airflow obstruction, and showed fewer activated DMN regions. Six DMN regions differed significantly in functional connectivity; connectivity of the left posterior cingulate cortex and left hippocampus correlated with cognitive and pulmonary function. The authors propose these regions may be important to cognitive impairment in COPD and that DMN connectivity changes may predict it. |
Abstract
Background and
Objectives: Cognitive impairment is a common extrapulmonary comorbidity in COPD patients. The default mode network (DMN) plays a critical role in maintaining the normal activities of humans, and its function can be evaluated by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between cognition and function changes of the DMN in COPD patients.
Methods: One hundred and thirteen eligible participants including 30 control subjects and 83 COPD patients matched for demographic characteristics were recruited. All participants performed cognitive function tests and underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Results: The total cognitive function scores of COPD patients were significantly different from those of control subjects (P<0.05) and worsened with the degree of airflow obstruction. The activated brain regions in the DMN of COPD patients were less than those of normal controls. Six activated brain regions in the DMN were found to develop significantly different functional connectivity (FC) values among the subjects. Meanwhile, the FC values of the left posterior cingulate cortex and left hippocampus correlated well with cognitive functions and pulmonary function.
Conclusion: COPD patients have cognitive impairments that correlate well with disease severity. FC changes in activated brain regions in the DMN may predict cognitive impairment, and the left posterior cingulate cortex and left hippocampus may be important brain regions related to cognitive impairment in COPD patients.
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 |