Concussions present with a myriad of symptomatic and cognitive concerns; however, the relationship between these functional disruptions and the underlying changes in the brain are not yet well understood. Hubs, or brain regions that are connected to many different functional networks, may be specifically disrupted after concussion. Given the implications in concussion research, we quantified hub disruption within the default mode network (DMN) and between the DMN and other brain networks. We collected resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from collegiate student-athletes (n = 44) at three timepoints: baseline (prior to beginning their athletic season), acute post-injury (approximately 48 hours after a diagnosed concussion), and recovery (after starting return-to-play progression, but prior to returning to contact). To link these connectivity changes to clinical outcomes, self-reported symptoms and computerized cognitive assessments were collected across similar timepoints. Functional connectivity between regions within in the DMN increased from baseline to post-injury and decreased from post-injury to recovery. The relationship between functional connectivity and symptoms was stronger post-injury than at baseline and recovery. Similarly, the relationship between functional connectivity in the DMN and visual memory performance was stronger post-injury than at baseline and recovery. In addition, functional connectivity between DMN hubs and visual network non-hubs decreased from baseline to post-injury and increased from post-injury to recovery. The relationship between somatic symptoms and functional connectivity between DMN hubs and visual network non-hubs was also stronger post-injury. The relationship between visual memory performance and functional connectivity between DMN hubs and visual network non-hubs was also stronger post-injury. These results highlight a unique relationship between self-reported symptoms, visual memory performance and acute functional connectivity changes involving DMN hubs after concussion in athletes. This may provide evidence for a disrupted balance of within- and between-network communication highlighting possible network inefficiencies after concussion. These results aid in our understanding of the pathophysiological disruptions after concussion and inform our understanding of the associations between disruptions in brain connectivity and specific clinical presentations acutely post-injury.
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