Hypertension during Pregnancy and Central Nervous System Regulation: Functional Connectivity Analysis of the Brain Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08959
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Medical University
• Principal Investigator: NAKAHATA Katsutoshi 関西医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (70332971)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 妊娠高血圧症候群 / 脳機能的結合性解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

BOLD signals during resting state with eyes closed were measured using a high-resolution MRI device, and rGC was calculated for voxels (6×6×6mm) within the entire cerebral cortex. Network analysis using graph theory was conducted to analyze degree centrality and eigenvector centrality, respectively. As a result, multiple voxels that showed changes from the period of hypertension before childbirth, one month postpartum, and the non-pregnant period when the menstrual cycle returned were identified. These voxels were found in the precuneus and parietal lobe. Plotting the values of degree centrality and eigenvector centrality for each voxel against blood pressure values revealed a positive correlation with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure.

Free Research Field

麻酔科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

同一被験者における非妊娠期から妊娠期、産褥期それぞれにおける脳機能的結合解析をプロスペクティブに行った研究はこれまで報告されていない。また、先行研究にて見出した眼窩前頭皮質をフォー カスとした前帯状皮質との脳領域間結合特性と血圧データとの関係を網羅的に解析した点において、独創性の高い得られた知見をさらに発展させることができた点で特筆すべき研究といえる。