Alterations in Functional Connectivity of Thalamus and Primary Somatosensory Cortex in Painful and Painless Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors' conclusion
Higher functional connectivity of thalamus and postcentral gyrus appeared only in diabetes without neuropathic complications. Thalamic/postcentral gyral connectivity measures demonstrated an association with peripheral nerve functions. Based on thalamic connectivity, it was possible to group the phenotypes of type 1 diabetes with painful/painless DPN and type 1 diabetes without DPN. The results of the current study support that fMRI can be used for phenotyping, and with validation, it may contribute to early detection and prevention of neuropathic complications.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals with T1D with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), painless DPN or without DPN, and healthy control subjects
- Participants
- 19 / 19 / 18 / 20
- Exposure
- T1D with painful DPN vs T1D with painless DPN vs T1D without DPN vs healthy controls
- Painful DPNn = 19
- Painless DPNn = 19
- Without DPNn = 18
- Healthy controlsn = 20reference
- Outcome
- Functional connectivity of brain regions involved in sensory processing (thalamus, postcentral gyrus, insula) and association with peripheral nerve function and pain intensity
Methodological detailsresting-state functional MRI, seed-based connectivity analyses
- Resting-state functional MRI
- Seed-based connectivity analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Seed-based functional connectivity
- Poorer peripheral nerve functions and higher pain scores associated with lower connectivity of thalamus and postcentral gyrus
- all P ≤ 0.043
- No connectivity differences in insula
- all P ≥ 0.071
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Alterations in Functional Connectivity of Thalamus and Primary Somatosensory Cortex in Painful and Painless Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Diabetes Care. Published 21 December 2022. doi:10.
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