Abnormal cerebellar activity and connectivity alterations of the cerebellar-limbic system in post-stroke cognitive impairment: a study based on resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Stroke is an important cause of cognitive impairment. Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder following stroke. However, the effects of PSCI on the cerebellum remain mostly unknown.

Methods: A total of 31 PSCI patients and 31 patients without cognitive impairment after stroke were included in this study. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were administered to all participants. Analyses of ALFF, fALFF, and ReHo were employed to investigate alterations in brain neuronal activity, while limbic connectivity analysis was utilized to reflect changes within the abnormal connections within brain regions.

Results: We found that ALFF values were increased in Cerebelum_7b_R, Cerebelum_Crus1_L. fALFF values were increased in Vermis_3. The ReHo values were increased in Cerebelum_8_R, Cerebelum_Crus2_R, Cerebelum_Crus1_L. The functional connection between Frontal_Mid_Orb_L and Cerebelum_Crus2_R brain regions was decreased. The functional connection between Hippocampus_L and Cerebelum_Crus2_R brain regions was decreased. The functional connection between Vermis_3 and Frontal_Med_Orb_L brain regions was decreased.

Conclusion: The severity of cognitive impairment may influence the extent of functional connectivity disruption between the cerebellum and the limbic system. Furthermore, atypical alterations in neuronal activity within cerebellar regions are associated with cognitive decline.