Partial correlation analysis reveals abnormal retinotopically organized functional connectivity of visual areas in amblyopia.

摘要: Amblyopia is a prevalent developmental visual disorder of childhood that typically persists in adults. Due to altered experience during critical periods youth, the structure and function adult cortex abnormal. In addition substantial deficits shown with task-based fMRI, previous studies have used resting state measures demonstrate long-range connectivity amblyopia. This first study amblyopia analyze between regions interest are smaller than single cortical area apply partial correlation analysis reduce network effects. We specifically assess short-range retinotopically defined within occipital lobe 8 subjects 7 normal vision (aged 19-45). The representations areas V1, V2, V3 each four quadrants space were further subdivided into three based on maps field eccentricity. Connectivity pairs all nine quadrant was tested via for both groups. Only tests correlation, i.e., time courses two following regression from other regions, yielded significant differences functional amblyopic subjects. Subjects showed significantly higher para-foveal more eccentric this effect associated poor acuity worse eye. addition, we observed reduced isoeccentricity V1 separately, such V2 V3. conclude correlation-based an eccentricity-dependent pattern patients. Moreover, results consistent known clinical psychophysical loss. More broadly, provides evidence abnormal adaptations disease may be better isolated regular techniques currently widely used.