Multimodal analysis of resting-state functional MRI in acute mild traumatic brain injury patients and its association with clinical cognitive performance

Objective Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) was used to measure the differences in voxel-based indicators between patients with acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and healthy volunteers, and the correlation between the differences in these multimodal parameters and the cognitive performance of patients was analyzed. Methods We collected rs-fMRI data from 35 mTBI patients within 7 days postinjury and 35 healthy volunteers. We employed amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional ALFF, regional homogeneity, functional connectivity, and degree centrality to analyze the data and investigate the dysfunctional brain regions in acute mTBI. Neuropsychological assessments, including the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment, and Trail Making Tests A and B, were administered to the 35 mTBI patients. Correlation analysis was performed between the graph theory parameters and the neuropsychological outcomes. Results The ALFF in the insula of the mTBI group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the degree centrality in the angular gyrus was also significantly reduced. Increased functional connectivity was observed between the cuneus and the middle occipital gyrus, whereas functional connectivity in the dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus was significantly decreased. Conclusion Correlation analysis between neuropsychological assessment scores and neural network function in the mTBI group suggested that multimodal rs-fMRI analysis may provide insights into dysfunctional brain regions in mTBI, though observed associations did not survive correction for multiple comparisons.