Altered Brain Functional Connectivity and Topological Structural in Girls with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty: A Graph Theory Analysis Based on Resting-State fMRI.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate changes in brain functional connectivity (FC) and topological structure in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) using complex network theory analysis.

METHODS

Resting-state fMRI data from 53 ICPP girls (ages 6-8) and 51 controls were analysed. Graph theory was used to construct whole-brain functional networks, identify topological differences, and assess the relationship between sex hormone levels and network properties in regions with group differences.

RESULTS

RS-FC analysis revealed reduced connectivity in cognitive and emotional regulation regions in the ICPP group (p < 0.05), but enhanced connectivity in emotional perception and self-regulation areas, such as the amygdala and insula (p < 0.05), suggesting a compensatory mechanism. Graph theory showed that ICPP girls' brain networks maintained small-world properties (γ > 1, λ ≈ 1, σ > 1). Local topological changes included decreased clustering and node efficiency in cognitive and emotional regulation regions, like the superior frontal gyrus and praecuneus (p < 0.05), while emotional regulation regions (amygdala, insula) showed increased clustering and node efficiency (p < 0.05), indicating compensation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights compensatory mechanisms in emotional regulation that may offset impairments in cognitive regions, offering new insights into ICPP's neural mechanisms.