Brain functional connectivity in lung cancer population: an exploratory study

• Published in: Brain imaging and behavior Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 369 - 382
• Main Authors: Simó, M., Rifà-Ros, X., Vaquero, L., Ripollés, P., Cayuela, N., Jové, J., Navarro, A., Cardenal, F., Bruna, J., Rodríguez-Fornells, Antoni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-04-2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - drug effects; Brain - physiopathology; Brain Mapping - methods; Cancer; Cerebellum; Chemotherapy; Cognition Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognition Disorders - physiopathology; Cognitive ability; Female; Humans; Independent component analysis; Lung cancer; Lung Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy; Lung Neoplasms - physiopathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neural networks; Neural Pathways - diagnostic imaging; Neural Pathways - physiopathology; Neuropsychological Tests; Neuropsychology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Original Research; Patients; Pattern analysis; Platinum Compounds - adverse effects; Platinum Compounds - therapeutic use; Population studies; Prospective Studies; Psychiatry; Rest; Functional connectivity; Default mode network; Chemotherapy; Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging; Lung cancer
• ISSN: 1931-7557; 1931-7565
• DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9697-8

The present study aimed to explore the functional connectivity differences in Resting State Networks (RSNs) induced by cancer and chemotherapy in Lung Cancer (LC) patients using an Independent Component Analysis (ICA). Three matched groups of 15 LC patients following Chemotherapy (C+), 15 LC patients before Chemotherapy (C-) and 15 Healthy Controls (HC) were included. Analysis was performed using ICA and a multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to classify groups based on profiles of functional connectivity. We found significant differences in four of the RSN identified: Default Mode Network (DMN), Predominantly Left and Right Anterior Temporal Network, and Cerebellum Network. Whereas DMN showed decreased connectivity, the other RSNs exhibited increased connectivity in both LC groups compared to HC and in C+ in comparison to C-. MVPA discriminated significantly and accurately between all groups. Our study showed that disrupted functional connectivity associated with cancer and chemotherapy-induced cognitive deficits is not only related to DMN decreased connectivity abnormalities but also to an increased connectivity of other RSNs, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism.
Graphical abstract