Neurovascular Coupling Alterations in Language and Visual Processing Regions in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: An rs-fMRI and ASL Study

Motivation: The relationship between cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neural activity, or neurovascular coupling (NVC), in spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) remains unclear, particularly its role in language and visual impairments. Goal(s): This study aims to investigate specific NVC disruptions in SCP to better understand associated cognitive and communication deficits. Approach: Twenty SCP children and 27 healthy controls underwent resting-state fMRI and arterial spin labeling to calculate regional NVC ratios, including CBF/fALFF, CBF/ALFF, CBF/ReHo, and CBF/DC. Results: SCP children exhibited significant NVC disruptions, with reduced coupling in the superior temporal gyrus and increased coupling in the calcarine and lingual gyri. Impact: This study identifies distinct NVC patterns in SCP, providing potential biomarkers for assessing disease severity and guiding targeted interventions for SCP-related impairments.