Preliminary findings of altered functional connectivity of the default mode network linked to functional outcomes one year after pediatric traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT

Purpose and Method: This study examined functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) and examined brain–behavior relationships in a pilot cohort of children with chronic mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Results: Compared to uninjured peers, children with TBI demonstrated less anti-correlated functional connectivity between DMN and right Brodmann Area 40 (BA 40). In children with TBI, more anomalous less anti-correlated) connectivity between DMN and right BA 40 was linked to poorer performance on response inhibition tasks. Conclusion: Collectively, these preliminary findings suggest that functional connectivity between DMN and BA 40 may relate to longterm functional outcomes in chronic pediatric TBI.

KEYWORDS:

• Functional neuroimaging
• mild traumatic brain injury
• moderate traumatic brain injury
• neural networks
• response inhibition

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (J.S. & S.R., 5T32HD007414), (S.M., R01MH078160 & R01MH085328), (S.S., K23HD06161) and National Institute of Health National Center for Research Resources Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program (S.S., UL1TR001079-04).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (J.S. & S.R., 5T32HD007414), (S.M., R01MH078160 & R01MH085328), (S.S., K23HD06161) and National Institute of Health National Center for Research Resources Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program (S.S., UL1TR001079-04).