Altered functional connectivity of the default mode network in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

The functional connectivity of the default mode network is important in understanding the neuro-pathophysiological abnormalities in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Independent component analysis can effectively determine within and between network connectivity of different brain components. Therefore, in order to explore the association between the default mode network and other brain regions, we utilized independent component analysis to investigate the alteration of functional connectivity of the default mode network. Thirty-one patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and 31 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, and years of education, were recruited. For patients and healthy controls, functional connectivity within and between the default mode network and other brain regions were evaluated by independent component analysis. Compared with healthy controls, patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy showed reduced functional connectivity within the default mode network in the right cerebellar tonsil and left cerebellum posterior lobe and increased functional connectivity in the left inferior temporal and right middle frontal gyri. Furthermore, patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy showed reduced functional connectivity between the default mode network and other brain regions in the left cerebellar tonsil and increased functional connectivity in the right putamen, left thalamus, right middle temporal, and left middle frontal gyri. In conclusion, negative correlations between several clinical parameters and functional connectivity of the default mode network were observed. The study contributes to understanding the mechanism of functional reorganization in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.