Altered Small-World, Functional Brain Networks in Children with Strabismus and Amblyopia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study investigated changes in brain structural connectivity network and "small-world" topology in children with strabismus and amblyopia by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI)and graph theory. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 18 children with strabismus and amblyopia (SA) and 18 matched healthy control (HC) subjects were enrolled. We use rs-fMRI and graph theory to preprocess the date, Difference in brain network parameters area under the integral curve between the two groups were evaluated with the 2 sample t-test. Network-based statistics method was used to evaluate changes in brain connection strength between strabismus and amblyopia children and control subjects. RESULTS Compared with the control group, node clustering coefficient (Cp), characteristic path length (Lp), local network efficiency(EI), global network efficiency (Eg), normalized clustering coefficient (γ), normalized characteristic path length (λ), and small-world coefficient (σ) of strabismus and amblyopia group decreased significantly. The difference was statistically significant, and both groups exhibited small-world attributes (λ > 1, γ > 1, σ > 1). In addition ,the strength of brain connection among Inferior frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, cuneus, superior occipital gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, angular gyri, middle temporal gyrus and cerebellum in strabismus and amblyopia group were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The brain network in strabismus and amblyopia children has a small-world attribute, but shows reduced and abnormal connectivity compared to normal subjects. These findings provide insight into the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of strabismus and amblyopia children .