Analyzing brain structural network topology and connectivity in patients with refractory overactive bladder using diffusion tensor imaging and graph theory analysis
10.3969/j.issn.1009-8291.2025.12.006
- VernacularTitle:扩散张量成像及图论法分析难治性膀胱过度活动症患者脑结构网络拓扑属性及脑网络连接
- Author:
Yangkun FENG
1
;
Feng LU
2
;
Siyi FU
1
;
Yuwei ZHANG
3
;
Yun ZHANG
4
;
Deshui YU
3
;
Xiuhong HUA
2
;
Xi LIU
2
;
Jianfeng SHAO
3
;
Yi FAN
5
;
Ye HUA
6
Author Information
1. School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122
2. Department of Imaging, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi 214002
3. Department of Urology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi 214002
4. Department of Reproduction Medicine Center, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214002
5. School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166
6. Department of Neurology, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi 214002, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
refractory overactive bladder;
graph theory analysis;
brain structural network topological properties;
brain functional network;
diffusion tensor imaging
- From:
Journal of Modern Urology
2025;30(12):1049-1055
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the central nervous system in patients with refractory overactive bladder (rOAB) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and graph theory analysis. Methods A total of 43 rOAB patients (rOAB group) and 46 matched healthy controls (HC group) were recruited during May and Nov.2024. All participants were scanned with DTI, and surveyed with the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), and overactive bladder questionnaire (OAB-q). Their age, gender, height, weight, and educational years were collected.DTI plus graph theory analysis was employed to explore the alterations in global and local topological properties of the brain structural network in rOAB patients. Brain regions showing significant group differences in structural metrics [specifically, the right paracentral lobule (PCL.R) ]were further used as seed points for functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Correlations between the nodal clustering coefficient (NCp) of the identified region, FC strength, OABSS, and OAB-q score were investigated. Results The OABSS [8 (6,10) vs.0 (0,1) ]and OAB-q [71 (53,80) vs.20 (19,24) ]were higher in the rOAB group than the HC group (P<0.001). Graph theory analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in global network metrics between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the NCp was significantly higher in the PCL.R of rOAB group compared to HC group (P<0.05, FDR-corrected).FC analysis using the PCL.R as a seed region demonstrated significantly reduced FC value in the left cerebellar crus Ⅱ (Cerebelum_Crus2_L) of the rOAB group (P<0.05, FDR-corrected). Partial correlation analysis showed that the NCp of PCL.R was positively correlated with both OABSS (r=0.255, P=0.018) and OAB-q score (r=0.257, P=0.017). Conversely, the FC of Cerebelum_Crus2_L was significantly negatively correlated with OABSS (r=-0.545, P<0.001) and OAB-q score (r=-0.535, P<0.001). Conclusion Patients with rOAB exhibit distinct brain structural network alterations compared to healthy individuals, primarily manifestation in the NCp value of PCL.R increased, and the FC intensity of Cerebelum_Crus2_L is significantly weakened. These alterations in the topological properties of the structural network may be implicated in the pathogenesis of rOAB.
