Abnormal structural changes and disturbed functional connectivity in patients with Crohn’s disease and abdominal pain: a voxel-based morphometry and functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Voxel-based morphometry and functional MRI reveal altered brain morphology and connectivity associated with abdominal pain in Crohn's disease patients.
Key Points
Enhanced functional connectivity was observed between the ACC and default mode network in patients with abdominal pain.
Voxel-based morphometry indicated significant gray-matter volume changes in the anterior cingulate cortex of patients with abdominal pain.
Patients with Crohn's disease and abdominal pain showed unique neural alterations compared to those without abdominal pain and healthy controls.
Clinical correlations revealed negative associations between functional connectivity and depression and pain sensitivity scores.