Brain network connectivity assessed using graph theory in frontotemporal dementia
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether brain functional network connectivity is disrupted in patients with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). METHODS: Graph theoretical analysis was applied to resting state functional MRI data from 18 patients with probable bvFTD and 50 healthy individuals. Functional connectivity between 90 cortical and subcortical brain regions was estimated using bivariate correlation analysis and thresholded to construct a set of undirected graphs. Correlations between network properties and cognitive variables were tested. RESULTS: Global topologic organization of the functional brain network in bvFTD was significantly disrupted as indicated by reduced mean network degree, clustering coefficient, and global efficiency and increased characteristic path length and assortativity relative to normal subjects. Compared to controls, bvFTD data showed retention of major "hub" regions in the medial parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, but cortical hubs were not noted in the frontal lobes. Medial and dorsal frontal regions, left caudate nucleus, left insular cortices, and some regions of the temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes showed decreased nodal centrality. BvFTD patients showed the greatest decrease in inter-regional connectivity between the frontal and occipital regions, and the insular cortices and occipital, temporal, subcortical, and frontal regions. In bvFTD, altered global network properties correlated with executive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Global and local functional networks are altered in bvFTD, suggesting a loss of efficiency in information exchange between both distant and close brain areas. Altered brain regions are located in structures that are closely associated with neuropathologic changes in bvFTD. Aberrant topology of the functional brain networks in bvFTD appears to underlie cognitive deficits in these patients.
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Subjects with bvFTD showed reduced connectivity in prefrontal, insular, and temporal regions in functional and structural networks, and reduction in global network degree and efficiency.
“The subjects with bvFTD showed reduced connectivity in the prefrontal, insular, and temporal regions in terms of the functional (Agosta et al., 2013; Jalilianhasanpour et al., 2019; Seeley et al., 2009; Whitwell, 2019) and structural (Dopper et al., 2014; Mahoney et al., 2015; Tovar-Moll et al., 2014; Whitwell, 2019) networks”
From Multiclass characterization of frontotemporal dementia variants via multimodal brain network computational inference (2023) · cites this paper as Agosta et al., 2013
Functional graph theory models captured node-degree differences in the left superior occipital area, left Heschl gyrus, and left frontal inferior pars triangularis.
“Moreover, the functional graph theory models captured node-degree differences in the left superior occipital area (Agosta et al., 2013; Reyes et al., 2018), left Heschl gyrus (Agosta et al., 2013), and left frontal inferior pars triangularis (Zhou et al., 2012).”
From Multiclass characterization of frontotemporal dementia variants via multimodal brain network computational inference (2023) · cites this paper as Agosta et al., 2013
The AAL's models prioritized also other areas with extensive evidence of affectation in FTD such as the insula and precuneus.
“Furthermore, the AAL’s models prioritized also other areas with extensive evidence of affectation in FTD such as the insula and precuneus (Agosta et al., 2013; Baez et al., 2019; Popal et al., 2020; Reyes et al., 2018; Whitwell et al., 2011b).”
From Multiclass characterization of frontotemporal dementia variants via multimodal brain network computational inference (2023) · cites this paper as Agosta et al., 2013
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References 40 · Cited by 168
- Authors
- Agosta, F., Sala, S., Valsasina, P., Meani, A., Canu, E., Magnani, G., Cappa, S. F., Scola, E., Quatto, P., Horsfield, M. A., Falini, A., Comi, G., & Filippi, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Leicester (GB)
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (F.A., S.S., P.V., A.M., E.C., M.F.) and Department of Neurology (G.M., G.C. M.F.), Institute of Experimental Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (S.F.C.), Division of Neuroscience, and Department of Neuroradiology and CERMAC (E.S., A.F.), San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan; Department of Statistics (S.S., P.Q.), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; and Medical Physics Group (M.A.H.), Department of...
- ORCID
- Venue
- Neurology
- Published
- 2013-07-09
- Volume
- 81
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 134-143
- ISSN
- 0028-3878 (ISSN-L)
- 1526-632X
- OpenAlex
- W2086309111
- Cited by
- 168
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 8.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
- Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, network topology, hub regions, node centrality, executive dysfunction, resting-state functional connectivity, caudate nucleus, insula, global efficiency, clustering coefficient
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Neurological, Nerve Net, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Neural Networks, Computer, Executive Function, Frontotemporal Dementia
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