Functional connectivity in cerebral visual impairment: implications for daily visual behaviors

Individuals with cerebral/cortical visual impairment (CVI) often report challenges in the functional use of vision to perform daily activities. As the underlying neural mechanisms of functional CVIs remain unclear, this study evaluated resting state functional connectivity in individuals with CVI versus typically sighted controls and evaluated within-group associations with visual dysfunctions. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) connectivity profiles were calculated from 16 individuals diagnosed with CVI and 19 controls. Visuoperceptual profile was constructed using the Flemish CVI questionnaire (FCVIQ) for each participant with CVI. General linear models were used to evaluate between-group functional connectivity differences and regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between functional network connectivity FCVIQ outcomes. Significantly lower functional connectivity between groups was observed in two clusters involving the somatomotor, frontoparietal, orbito-affective, cingulo-opercular, and default mode networks. Within the CVI group, significant associations were observed for visual (dis)interest and clutter and distance viewing impairments in multiple networks. These results support that CVI and the severity of every day visual difficulties may be associated with changes to higher order executive and cognitive networks to interpret and/or provide top-down control over sensory processes.