Resting-State Neural Network Disturbances Underlying the Subacute Stage of Post-Stroke Aphasia: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study

In the subacute stage of post-stroke aphasia (PSA), the remodeling of language function mainly depends on the compensation of normal tissue apart from the stroke foci. However, the mechanism has not yet to be elucidated. Therefore, we aim to investigate the dynamic functional connectivity between networks (dFNC) in patients with PSA at the subacute stage and observe the relationships between dFNC alterations and language ability assessment. Twenty individuals with subacute PSA and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for resting-state fMRI scanning, only patients with PSA underwent Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) measures. A dynamic approach was used to investigate the FNC across all subjects. Independent component analysis was carried out to extract RSNs, and the sliding window method was used to obtain dFNC patterns. Three sets of coupling as left frontoparietal network (lFPN) with right frontoparietal network (rFPN) , lFPN with posterior default mode network (pDMN), and pDMN with salience network (SN), differed between the PSA and HC groups in specific state (p <0.05, FDR correction). A significant positive correlation was found only between dFNC (lFPN/rFPN) and auditory verbal comprehension scores (p =0.737, r =0.023 and p =0.021, r =0.745). The aberrant FNC patterns were state-dependent in PSA. Reduced lFPN-rFPN connectivity may be the key element participating in auditory verbal comprehension. Overall, these findings has extended our knowledge of understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms provided a potential novel perspective on the pathophysiology mechanisms of PSA.