1Laboratory
of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong,
Hong Kong SAR, China; 2Department of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; 3Department
of Anatomy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
This study explored the role of anatomical/axonal connections in resting-state fMRI connectivity and the plasticity of resting-state networks. Animal models of complete and partial corpus callosum (CC) transection were studied with rsfMRI in conjunction with intracortical EEG recording and Mn2+ tracing of axonal connections. At post-surgery day 7, resting-state connectivity significantly decreased in the cortical areas whose callosal connections were severed. At post-surgery day 28, disrupted connectivity was partly restored in partial transection group, likely through the spared pathways in remaining CC. These rsfMRI findings were paralleled by EEG recording and. Mn2+ tracing results. These results directly support the primary and indispensable role of anatomical/axonal connections via CC in resting-state fMRI connectivity, and that anatomical connection based resting-state networks can be plastic.
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