Altered Voxel-Wise Degree Centrality of Brain Network in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study

Motivation: Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have an increased risk of emotional and cognitive disorders. Goal(s): We aim to explore the neural mechanisms in CRS patients using the voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) approach. Approach: Here we collected resting-state functional MRI data to assess the voxel-wise DC values in patients with CRS. Results: Compared with HCs, CRS patients indicated decreased DC values in the right precuneus and increased DC values in the left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG). In addition, a positive correlation between the DC values in the left inferior temporal gyrus and disease duration was observed. Impact: CRS patients showed intrinsic abnormal DC values in the right precuneus and the left ITG, both of which are involved in cognitive processing and emotional regulation. These results reveal new insights into the neuropathological mechanisms in CRS patients.