Impairments in Functional Connectivity and Glymphatic System in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment

Motivation: Cancer patients may have declined glymphatic function and functional connectivity due to treatment effcts. Goal(s): Aiming to explore the association between glymphatic dysfunction and DMN-based FC pattern in treated breast cancer (BC) patients. Approach: We combined seed-based analysis of DMN and DTI data-derived index of diffusivity along the perivascular space (ALPS-index) to explore alterations in FC and glymphatic function. Pearson's correlation was performed to examine the association between altered DMN-based FC and ALPS-index in BC group. Results: Our study demonstrated altered DMN-based FC and declined ALPS-index in BC patients. Lower right-hemisphere ALPS-index in BC patients was linked to higher posterior cingulate cortex-precuneus FC. Impact: Altered DMN-based functional connectivity and bilateral ALPS-index, as well as the negative correlation between elevated posterior cingulate cortex-precuneus connectivity and ALPS-index in BC, indicate a potential mechanism overcoming glymphatic dysfunction by enhancing functional interactions.