Decreased functional connectivity within the default-mode network in acute brainstem ischemic stroke

Highlights: • Acute stroke patients showed decreased connectivity within the default mode network. • Decreased functional connectivity was correlated with elevated homocysteine levels. • These abnormalities provide novel insights for post-stroke cognitive impairment. - Abstract: Purpose: Ischemic stroke within the brainstem is associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to explore the integrity of a default-mode network (DMN) and its relationship with clinical variables in patients with acute ischemic brainstem stroke using an independent component analysis (ICA) approach.