Multiple Neural Networks Malfunction in Primary Blepharospasm: An Independent Components Analysis

Abstract

Primary blepharospasm (BPS) is a focal dystonia characterized by involuntary blinking and eyelid spasms. The pathophysiology of BPS remains unclear. Several neuroimaging studies have suggested dysfunction of sensory processing and sensorimotor integration, but the results have been inconsistent. This study aimed to determine whether patients with BPS exhibit altered functional brain connectivity and to explore possible correlations between these networks and clinical variables. Twenty-five patients with BPS and 25 healthy controls were enrolled. We found that the patient group exhibited decreased connectivity within the sensory-motor network (SMN), which involved regions of the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area (SMA), right premotor cortex, bilateral precuneus and left superior parietal cortex. Within the right fronto-parietal network, decreased connections were observed in the middle frontal gyrus, dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal gyrus. Regarding the salience network (SN), increased connectivity was observed in the left superior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus. These findings suggest the involvement of multiple neural networks in primary BPS.

Advances in the pathophysiology of adult-onset focal dystonias: recent neurophysiological and neuroimaging evidence

“…Using resting-state fMRI with independent component analysis (ICA) [94][95][96][97][98][99] in patients with BSP, Huang et al 100 observed alterations in multiple neural networks including the sensory-motor network (decreased connectivity involving the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, right premotor cortex, bilateral precuneus, and left superior parietal cortex), the right frontoparietal network (decreased connections in the middle frontal gyrus, dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus), and the salience network (increased connectivity in the left superior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus). Abnormalities in regions of the default mode network and sensory integration network have been reported in patients with BSP 101 .…”

Epidemiology of benign essential blepharospasm: A nationwide population-based retrospective study in Taiwan

“…Additionally, jobs that are more mentally challenging, such as professional workers, managers, teachers and office workers, were found to be associated with blepharospasm compared to more physical labor-intensive jobs. Although the pathophysiology and neuroanatomy of blepharospasm have not yet been elucidated, there is mounting evidence that blepharospasm may represent a network disorder causing a discoordination of sensory and emotional processing, motor planning, and motor execution, resulting in neuropsychiatric problems [31–34].…”

“…Hyperlipidemia was found to have a significant association with blepharospasm in our study, more so in the male population than the female population. Although the exact pathophysiology is still unknown for BEB, evidence points to a neural network problem involving certain areas of the brain, causing an involuntary spasm of the facial muscles [31]. Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder underlying atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, and fatty liver disease [41, 42].…”

Therapie des essentiellen Blepharospasmus mit Botulinumtoxin

“…Funktionell bildgebende Verfahren, insbesondere die funktionelle Magnetresonanztomografie (fMRT) legen eine Dyfunktion der sensorischen Verarbeitung bzw. der sensomotorischen Integration nahe [22].…”