Graph theoretical analysis and independent component analysis of diabetic optic neuropathy: A resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Aims This study aimed to investigate the resting‐state functional connectivity and topologic characteristics of brain networks in patients with diabetic optic neuropathy (DON). Methods Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on 23 patients and 41 healthy control (HC) subjects. We used independent component analysis and graph theoretical analysis to determine the topologic characteristics of the brain and as well as functional network connectivity (FNC) and topologic properties of brain networks. Results Compared with HCs, patients with DON showed altered global characteristics. At the nodal level, the DON group had fewer nodal degrees in the thalamus and insula, and a greater number in the right rolandic operculum, right postcentral gyrus, and right superior temporal gyrus. In the internetwork comparison, DON patients showed significantly increased FNC between the left frontoparietal network (FPN‐L) and ventral attention network (VAN). Additionally, in the intranetwork comparison, connectivity between the left medial superior frontal gyrus (MSFG) of the default network (DMN) and left putamen of auditory network was decreased in the DON group. Conclusion DON patients altered node properties and connectivity in the DMN, auditory network, FPN‐L, and VAN. These results provide evidence of the involvement of specific brain networks in the pathophysiology of DON. Using independent component analysis and graph theoretical analysis to determine how brain networks altered in patients with diabetic optic neuropathy.