Abstract：
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is an approved method to improve the growth and ameliorate behavioral issues in children with short stature. However, the data concerning the effects of rhGH treatment on spontaneous brain activity remains unclear. This study included 35 children with short stature, categorized into two groups: the treated group (n = 14) and the untreated group (n = 21). All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and neuropsychological assessments at baseline and at the end of a one-year follow-up. The rs-fMRI based amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) analysis method was employed to assess spontaneous brain activity. Interaction effects between rhGH and time on ALFF were detected using a mixed-effects analysis. Additionally, Stepwise regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between ALFF values and significant clinical indicators. The treated group exhibited significant improvements in height, weight, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels, and processing speed index (PSI) when reevaluated from baseline. The interaction effect of rhGH × time was evident in the right putamen (RPUT), where the ALFF value showed a significant increase following rhGH treatment, while also demonstrating a notable positive correlation with height. Moreover, The main effect of time was manifested as a significant decrease in the ALFF value of the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (LSFG) within the untreated group during the follow-up period, concurrently displaying a positive correlation with age. In conclusion, rhGH treatment not only has a positive effect on the growth, cognition, and behavior of children with short stature, but also improves and normalizes spontaneous brain activity.
摘要：
重组人生长激素（rhGH）是一种经批准的改善身材矮小儿童生长和改善行为问题的方法。然而,关于rhGH治疗对自发性脑活动的影响的数据仍不清楚.这项研究包括35名身材矮小的儿童，分为两组:治疗组(n=14)和未治疗组(n=21)。所有参与者在基线和一年随访结束时都接受了静息状态功能磁共振成像（rs-fMRI）和神经心理学评估。采用基于rs-fMRI的低频波动幅度（ALFF）分析方法评估自发性脑活动。使用混合效应分析检测rhGH和时间对ALFF的相互作用效应。此外,进行Pearson相关性分析以探讨ALFF值与重要临床指标之间的关联。治疗组表现出高度的显著改善，体重,胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）水平，胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白3（IGFBP-3）水平，和从基线重新评估时的处理速度指数(PSI)。rhGH×时间的相互作用效应在右壳核（RPUT）中很明显，在rhGH治疗后，ALFF值显示显着增加，同时也显示出与身高的显着正相关。此外，时间的主要作用表现为未治疗组随访期间左额上背外侧回(LSFG)ALFF值明显下降,同时显示与年龄的正相关。总之,rhGH治疗不仅对生长有积极的影响，认知，和矮小儿童的行为，而且还改善和正常化自发的大脑活动。
