Page 17 - JCBP-2-1

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics MRI and functional constipation

while RD reflects diffusion in directions orthogonal to the and transmitting sensory information within the cerebral
principal orientation. These metrics offer valuable insights cortex and processing intestinal sensory information in
into specific aspects of WM microstructure . Previous patients with FC. In addition, when selecting regions
[64]
studies have demonstrated altered metrics in patients with with abnormal GMV such as INS, ACC, and MFG as seed
FC compared with HC, particularly in regions associated regions, a study found significantly lower FA in the right
with sensory and motor functions. Notably, a decrease MFG-ACC, left INS-left MFG, and right INS-right MFG
in FA was observed in the corpus callosum (CC), corona tracts in patients with FC compared to HC . This finding
[66]
radiata (CR), and right cingulate gyrus (CG). Both MD and suggests that the dysfunction of emotion regulation and
RD increased in the CC, CR, and widespread fiber tracts visceral sensation in patients with FC is not only associated
connecting with the cerebral cortex. In addition, in the left with structural abnormalities in these brain regions but
CG, RD was higher . In the investigation of variations in also with abnormal structural connections among them.
[65]
WM microstructure based on gender, results showed that,
compared with FC_M, FC_F also exhibited decreased FA 3.4. Alterations in white matter networks
alongside increased RD in the CC, CR, and CG . The WM networks serve as the foundational structure
[66]
CC is responsible for the communication of perception, for central information transfer across various brain
volitional information, and cognitive learning . The regions [71,72] . Utilizing the graph theory method, the
[67]
compromised integrity of the WM fiber bundle of the CC examination of WM network characteristics in patients
can impact the regulation and processing of visceral sensory with FC revealed noteworthy changes. The nodal level
information. The WM fiber of the CG belongs to the analysis demonstrated increased nodal betweenness,
emotional arousal network, which regulates the emotional efficiency, and degree in specific regions such as the SFG,
[68]
fluctuations caused by visceral sensation . The CR is MFG, and anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG). Additionally,
responsible for information transmission, connecting the nodal efficiency increased in the right AMY, the right
brainstem to the frontal cortex, somatosensory, and motor lenticular nucleus in the pallidum (PAL_R), and STG,
cortices, participating in the regulation of somatosensory/ while nodal degree increased in the parahippocampal
motor control . These aforementioned alterations in gyrus, lingual gyrus, PAL_R, and STG. On the other hand,
[69]
WM microstructure signify compromised communication decreases were observed in nodal betweenness, efficiency,
responsible for sensory and motor functions and abnormal and degree in the left paracentral lobule, left CAU, and left
functional integration. Results also provide a deeper THA. Furthermore, nodal betweenness decreased in the
understanding of the decreased emotional regulation in right gyrus rectus, and nodal degree decreased in the right
FC_F from the perspective of WM microstructure changes, MFG and right CAU . The topological characteristics of
[73]
contributing to the higher prevalence of constipation WM networks mirror the brain’s capacity for information
symptoms in women compared to men. processing . Close collaboration between the ACG and
[74]
frontal lobe regions in a wide range of functions, such as
3.3. Alterations in structural connectivity between emotions, attention, decision-making, executive functions,
brain regions and social cognition, contributes to the intricate cognition
Both functional and structural abnormalities in the THA and behavior in humans . These alterations induce the
[75]
have been identified in patients with FC [32,43,63] . A study disruption in normal visceral modulation and sensory
specifically selected THA as a seed region for probabilistic transduction processes in patients with FC. The decreased
tractography, revealing decreased FA in the left THA-SMA, nodal characteristics in CAU and THA indicate disrupted
left THA-PreCen, left THA-AMY, right THA-PostCen, or reduced interregional communication in visceral
right THA-PCUN, and right THA-HIPP compared to HC. sensory processing . Furthermore, nodal betweenness
[76]
Moreover, increased MD and RD were observed in the in the THA was negatively associated with the duration of
left THA-AMY and right THA-HIPP tracts, along with symptoms in patients with FC . These results suggest that
[73]
higher RD in the left THA-SMA tract in patients with a longer disease duration may be linked to more significant
[70]
FC . The FA of left THA-HIPP and right THA-PostCen structural alternations, and these structural alternations
was negatively associated with the sensation of incomplete in WM networks may contribute to observed brain
evacuation, while FA of left THA-PreCen was negatively functional changes in patients with FC . Overall, these
[77]
associated with the difficulty of defecation . THA serves findings provide valuable insights into the alterations in
[70]
as a critical link connecting the medial prefrontal cortex WM network properties in patients with FC, highlighting
(mPFC) and HIPP, playing a significant role in emotional specific brain regions implicated in the processing of
processing . The observed abnormal structural visceral sensation and their potential contributions to the
[71]
connectivity reflects the dysfunction of THA in integrating pathophysiology of FC.

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.1463