Intra- and inter-resting-state networks abnormalities in overactive bladder syndrome patients: an independent component analysis of resting-state fMRI

Purpose This study aims to determine whether intra-network and inter-network brain connectivities are altered using an independent component analysis (ICA). Methods Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data were acquired from 26 patients with OAB and 28 healthy controls (HC). Eleven resting-state networks (RSNs) were identified via ICA. General linear model (GLM) was used to compare intra-network FC and inter-network FC of RSNs between the two groups. Pearson correlation analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between the identified RSNs and clinical variables. Results Compared with HC, the OAB group showed abnormal FC within the sensorimotor-related network (SMN), the dorsal attention network (DAN), the dorsal visual network (dVN), and the left frontoparietal network (LFPN). With respect to inter-network interactions, decreased FC was detected between the SMN and the anterior default mode network (aDMN). Conclusion This study demonstrated that abnormal FC between RSNs may reflect the altered resting state of the brain–bladder network. The findings of this study provide complementary evidence that can help further understand the neural substrates of the overactive bladder.