Exploring Facial Nucleus-Centered Connectivity in Hemifacial Spasm: Novel Insights into Pathogenesis and Surgical Impact.

ABSTRACT: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of the face, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Although the facial nerve nucleus has been implicated in HFS pathogenesis, specific research on its functional connectivity within whole-brain networks remains limited. This study aimed to investigate alterations in whole-brain functional connectivity with the facial nerve nucleus as the region of interest (ROI) in HFS patients, before and after microvascular decompression (MVD), to uncover potential mechanisms underlying the disorder and the impact of surgical intervention. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was conducted on 30 HFS patients and 30 matched healthy controls. Functional connectivi

SUBMITTER: Duan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12358327 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature