Dynamic functional connectivity changes in the triple networks and its association with cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients

• Published in: Brain and behavior 2021-08, Vol.11 (8), p.e2314-n/a
• Main Authors: Cao, Jianghui, Liu, Guangzhi, Li, Xuekun, Yue, Zheng, Ren, Jipeng, Zhu, Wei, Wu, Baolin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Bipolar disorder; central executive network; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; default mode network; dynamic functional connectivity; end‐stage renal disease; Hemodialysis; Kidney diseases; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mental depression; Neuropsychology; Original Research; Principal components analysis; salience network
• ISSN: 2162-3279; 2162-3279
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2314

Introduction Cognitive impairment is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. The "triple‐network model" that consists of the salience network (SN), central executive network (CEN), and default mode network (DMN) has been suggested to play an important role in various cognitive functions. However, dynamic functional connectivity (FC) alterations within the triple networks have not been investigated in HD patients. Methods Sixty‐six HD patients and 66 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. The triple networks were identified using a group spatial independent component analysis, and dynamic FC was analyzed using a sliding window approach and k‐means clustering algorithm. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationships between altered dynamic FC parameters and clinical variables in HD patients. Results The intrinsic brain FC within the triple networks was clustered into four configuration states. Compared with HCs, HD patients spent more time in State 1, which was characterized by weak connections between the DMN and CEN and SN. HD patients showed lower number of transitions across different states than HCs. Moreover, the number of transitions and mean dwell time in State 1 were associated with cognitive performance in HD patients. Conclusion Our findings suggest abnormal dynamic FC properties within the triple networks in HD patients, which may provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of their cognitive deficits from the perspective of dynamic FC. Cognitive impairment is common in hemodialysis (HD) end‐stage renal disease patients; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. Here, we investigated dynamic functional connectivity (FC) in HD patients based on the "triple‐network model." We found that HD patients had altered dynamic FC properties, which were associated with their cognitive deficits.