Functional MRI for Assessment of the Default Mode Network in Acute Brain Injury

TY - JOUR

T1 - Functional MRI for Assessment of the Default Mode Network in Acute Brain Injury

AU - Kondziella, Daniel

AU - Fisher, Patrick M.

AU - Larsen, Vibeke Andrée

AU - Hauerberg, John

AU - Fabricius, Martin

AU - Møller, Kirsten

AU - Knudsen, Gitte Moos

PY - 2017/12

Y1 - 2017/12

N2 - Background: Assessment of the default mode network (DMN) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may improve assessment of the level of consciousness in chronic brain injury, and therefore, fMRI may also have prognostic value in acute brain injury. However, fMRI is much more challenging in critically ill patients because of cardiovascular vulnerability, intravenous sedation, and artificial ventilation. Methods: Using resting-state fMRI, we investigated the DMN in a convenience sample of patients with acute brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit. The DMN was classified dichotomously into “normal” and “grossly abnormal.” Clinical outcome was assessed at 3 months. Results: Seven patients with acute brain injury (4 females; median age 37 years [range 14–71 years]; 1 traumatic brain injury [TBI]; 6 non-TBI) were investigated by fMRI a median of 15 days after injury (range 5–25 days). Neurological presentation included 2 coma, 1 vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), 3 minimal conscious state (MCS) minus, and 1 MCS plus. Clinical outcomes at 3 months included 1 death, 1 VS/UWS, 1 MCS plus, and 4 conscious states (CS; 1 modified Rankin Scale 0; 2 mRS 4; 1 mRS 5). Normal DMNs were seen in 4 out of 7 patients (1 MCS plus, 3 CS at follow-up). Conclusions: It is feasible to assess the DMN by resting-state fMRI in patients with acute brain injury already in the very early period of intensive care unit admission. Although preliminary data, all patients with a preserved DMN regained consciousness levels at follow-up compatible with MCS+ or better.

AB - Background: Assessment of the default mode network (DMN) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may improve assessment of the level of consciousness in chronic brain injury, and therefore, fMRI may also have prognostic value in acute brain injury. However, fMRI is much more challenging in critically ill patients because of cardiovascular vulnerability, intravenous sedation, and artificial ventilation. Methods: Using resting-state fMRI, we investigated the DMN in a convenience sample of patients with acute brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit. The DMN was classified dichotomously into “normal” and “grossly abnormal.” Clinical outcome was assessed at 3 months. Results: Seven patients with acute brain injury (4 females; median age 37 years [range 14–71 years]; 1 traumatic brain injury [TBI]; 6 non-TBI) were investigated by fMRI a median of 15 days after injury (range 5–25 days). Neurological presentation included 2 coma, 1 vegetative state/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (VS/UWS), 3 minimal conscious state (MCS) minus, and 1 MCS plus. Clinical outcomes at 3 months included 1 death, 1 VS/UWS, 1 MCS plus, and 4 conscious states (CS; 1 modified Rankin Scale 0; 2 mRS 4; 1 mRS 5). Normal DMNs were seen in 4 out of 7 patients (1 MCS plus, 3 CS at follow-up). Conclusions: It is feasible to assess the DMN by resting-state fMRI in patients with acute brain injury already in the very early period of intensive care unit admission. Although preliminary data, all patients with a preserved DMN regained consciousness levels at follow-up compatible with MCS+ or better.

KW - Coma

KW - Critical care

KW - Disorders of consciousness

KW - Locked-in syndrome

KW - Minimal conscious state

KW - Neuroimaging

KW - Traumatic brain injury

KW - Unresponsive wakefulness syndrome

KW - Vegetative state

U2 - 10.1007/s12028-017-0407-6

DO - 10.1007/s12028-017-0407-6

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28484929

AN - SCOPUS:85019049312

SN - 1541-6933

VL - 27

SP - 401

EP - 406

JO - Neurocritical Care

JF - Neurocritical Care

IS - 3

ER -