Altered dynamic brain functional network connectivity related to visual network in spinal cord injury

Motivation: Visual feedback training (VFT) plays an important role in the motor rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. However, the neural mechanisms are unclear. Goal(s): We aimed to investigate the changes in dynamic functional network connectivity (FNC) related to visual networks (VN) in SCI patients, and to reveal the neural mechanism of VFT promoting motor function rehabilitation. Approach: We applied dynamic FNC analysis to assess the brain alterations underlying CSCI and ISCI patients. Results: Our findings highlighted that SCI could result in VN-related FNC alterations, revealing the possible mechanism for VFT in rehabilitation of SCI patients. Impact: Our results serve to increase the training efficacy and promoting rehabilitation for SCI. This study also suggested that the dynamic FNC analysis was a promising avenue to deepen our understanding the pathological damage and functional recovery mechanisms of SCI.