PURPOSE: Functionally relevant alterations in resting state fMRI
(rs-fMRI) connectivity have been identified in adults with traumatic brain
injury (TBI). We evaluated rs-fMRI connectivity in children with TBI and
explored the relationship between altered connectivity and measures of
neurological function.
METHODS: Rs-fMRI was obtained in 14 children after TBI and 14
controls matched for age, sex, and handedness. Whole-brain connectivity was
evaluated separately for the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention
network (DAN); Between-group contrasts identified regions with altered
connectivity between TBI and control cohorts. In children with TBI, the
relationships between regions of altered connectivity and performance on
relevant functional measures were examined.
RESULTS: Compared to controls, children with TBI showed
significantly greater connectivity between DMN and right dorsal premotor
cortex (RdPM) and between DAN and bilateral sensorimotor cortex (SM1). In
children with TBI, greater DMN-RdPM connectivity was associated with worse
motor performance whereas greater DAN-LSM1 connectivity was associated with
better motor performance; furthermore, DMN-RdPM and DAN-LSM1 connectivity
were negatively correlated.
CONCLUSION: Rs-fMRI reveals significant altered connectivity in
children with TBI compared to controls. After TBI in children, patterns of
altered connectivity appear divergent, with increased DMN-motor network
connectivity associated with worse motor control whereas increased DAN-motor
network connectivity appears compensatory.
