AUTHOR=Dai Yangyang , He Qiheng , Wang Shan , Cao Tianqing , Chai Xiaoke , Wang Nan , Dong Yijun , Wong Peiling , He Jianghong , Duan Feng , Yang Yi 

TITLE=Deciphering network dysregulations and temporo-spatial dynamics in disorders of consciousness: insights from minimum spanning tree analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1458339

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1458339

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Objectives</title><p>The neural mechanism associated with impaired consciousness is not fully clear. We aim to explore the association between static and dynamic minimum spanning tree (MST) characteristics and neural mechanism underlying impaired consciousness.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>MSTs were constructed based on full-length functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals and fMRI signal segments within each time window. Global and local measures of static MSTs, as well as spatio-temporal interaction characteristics of dynamic MSTs were investigated.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>A disruption or an alteration in the functional connectivity, the decreased average coupling strength and the reorganization of hub nodes were observed in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS) and patients with vegetative state (<italic>VS</italic>). The analysis of global and local measures quantitatively supported altered static functional connectivity patterns and revealed a slower information transmission efficiency in both patient groups. From a dynamic perspective, the spatial distribution of hub nodes exhibited relative stability over time in both normal and patient populations. The increased temporal variability in multiple brain regions within resting-state networks associated with consciousness was detected in MCS patients and <italic>VS</italic> patients, especially thalamus. As well, the increased spatial variability in multiple brain regions within these resting-state networks was detected in MCS patients and <italic>VS</italic> patients. In addition, local measure and spatio-temporal variability analysis indicated that the differences in network structure between two groups of patients were mainly in frontoparietal network and auditory network.</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>Our findings suggest that altered static and dynamic MST characteristics may shed some light on neural mechanism underlying impaired consciousness.</p></sec>