Increased grey matter volume and associated resting-state functional connectivity in chronic spontaneous urticaria: A structural and functional MRI study

作者：Yuming Wang, Deqiang Gao, Bingnan Cui, Bin Yu, Jiliang Fang, Zhiyu Wang, Rui Tang, Zhijian Cao, Wenwen Song, Ping Song, Shasha Li · 发表于：Journal of Neuroradiology · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1016/j.neurad.2021.01.011 · 被引用次数：17 · 研究领域：Urticaria and Related Conditions、Sympathectomy and Hyperhidrosis Treatments、Dermatology and Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic itch is one of the most common irritating sensations, yet its mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Although some studies have revealed relationships between itching and brain function, the structural changes in the brain induced by chronic itching, such as those accompanying chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential changes in brain structure and the associated functional circuitry in CSU patients to generate insights to aid chronic itch management. METHODS: Forty CSU patients and forty healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Seven-day urticaria activity score (UAS7) values were collected to evaluate clinical symptoms. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis were used to assess structural changes in the brain and associated changes in functional circuitry. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, CSU patients had significantly increased grey matter (GM) volume in the right premotor cortex, left fusiform cortex, and cerebellum. UAS7 values were positively associated with GM volume in the left fusiform cortex. In CSU patients relative to HCs, the left fusiform cortex as extracted by VBM analysis demonstrated decreased functional connectivity with the right orbitofrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), premotor cortex, primary motor cortex (MI), and cerebellum and increased functional connectivity with the right posterior insula...