Abnormal intrinsic brain functional network dynamicsin amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Lingling Li; Jiajia Wu; Mouxiong Zheng; Xin Xue; Jie Ma; Xuyun Hua; Jianguang Xu

doi:10.71321/bgaxq397

Authors

Lingling Li Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiajia Wu Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Mouxiong Zheng Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Xin Xue Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jie Ma Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Xuyun Hua Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jianguang Xu Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71321/bgaxq397

Keywords:

aMCI, dynamic functional network, fMRI, multilayer networks, independent component analysis, graph theory

Abstract

Background: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), owing to its high prevalence and significant prognostic relevance for dementia, has become a key focus in the early detection and intervention of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the abnormal intrinsic brain functional network dynamics in aMCI patients remain inadequately understood.
Methods: A total of 66 participants, comprising 31 aMCI patients and 35 age- and education-matched healthy controls (HCs), underwent resting-state fMRI scans and comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. This study examined intrinsic brain network dynamics in aMCI patients via dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) analysis, dynamic graph theoretical analysis, and multilayer network analysis.
Results: Compared with HCs, aMCI patients presented a significantly shorter mean dwell time (MDT) in state 2 (P < 0.05). In addition, the modularity coefficient Q was significantly greater in aMCI patients (1.40 ± 1.20) than in HCs (0.90 ± 0.46, P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of network efficiency or network switching rates.
Conclusion: These findings emphasize significant abnormal intrinsic brain functional network dynamics in aMCI patients, with disrupted network stability and increased modularity indicating maladaptive reorganization of brain networks. These results provide valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention, contributing to a deeper understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive decline in aMCI patients.

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