Abnormalities of the Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Patients with Insomnia Disorder

Abstract

Objective. This paper aimed to probe changes in the default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity (DMNFC) of the brain of patients with insomnia disorder (ID) under the resting state. Methods. A total of 67 patients with ID and 67 graphically matched healthy controls were selected. Then, their general information was collected, followed by a psychological scale valuation. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning was conducted. Subsequently, collected statistics were processed, bilateral precuneus and medial superior frontal gyrus were defined as regions of interest (ROI), and the difference in intensity between these two groups was compared. Results. Compared with the healthy control group, the patients in the ID group were observed with abnormalities of DMNFC. Specifically, a significant increase in the functional connectivity (FC) could be observed between the left medial superior frontal gyrus and left central anterior gyrus, the left medial superior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus, the right medial superior frontal gyrus and left central anterior gyrus, the left anterior cuneiform and left central anterior/posterior gyrus, the left anterior cuneiform and left superior occipital gyrus, as well as the right anterior cuneiform and left central posterior gyrus. However, the FC between the left anterior cuneiform and the right middle frontal gyrus was weakened, as well as between the left anterior cuneiform and the right angle gyrus and between the right precuneus and the left inferior temporal gyrus. Conclusion. ID patients may suffer changes in FC. The decline of FC in DMN may be one of the underlying causes of ID; the enhancement of FC between DMN and the visual-spatial attention network may play a key role in the mechanisms of impaired brain functional networks of ID.

The nucleus accumbens functional connectivity in patients with insomnia using resting-state fMRI

“…The precuneus is a key region of the default mode network (DMN), primarily involved in emotion processing in memory and maintaining self-awareness. It has been established that abnormal functional connectivity of the precuneus is associated with sleep quality ( Kay et al, 2016 ; Xia et al, 2022 ). The findings of this study suggest that the abnormal FC of the precuneus in ID may be related to sleep deprivation, consistent with previous research findings ( Wu et al, 2021 ; Ma and Zhang, 2022 ).…”

“…In recent years, advancements in neuroimaging have provided new tools and methods for investigating the neurobiological mechanisms of ID. Techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allow researchers to non-invasively observe brain activity and connectivity, revealing functional abnormalities in neural circuits and brain regions associated with ID ( Chou et al, 2021 ; Ma et al, 2021 ; Xia et al, 2022 ). Recent studies have utilized the locus coeruleus as the seed region to explore abnormal functional connectivity (FC) in ID patients, finding FC disruptions in the Default Mode Network (DMN) region, which are implicated in wakefulness regulation ( Li et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Yan et al used degree centrality to identify seed regions and uncovered aberrant functional patterns in ID patients ( Yan et al, 2018 ). Enhanced FC between the DMN and Visual Network has been observed, suggesting a crucial role in the insomnia mechanisms of ID patients ( Xia et al, 2022 ). Clinical manifestations of ID have also been confirmed to be correlated with the severity of fatigue ( Riedel and Lichstein, 2000 ; Kim et al, 2019 ; Harris et al, 2021 ).…”

Effects of acupuncture on the brain in primary insomnia: a coordinate-based meta-analysis of fMRI studies

“…The default mode network (DMN) is activated when people are left alone to contemplate and comprises a group of interconnected brain regions involved in cognition ( 43 ). The prefrontal cortex, precuneus, angular gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and transverse parietal cortex make up the most of the DMN ( 44 ). During deep sleep, certain DMN regions dissociate, suggesting that connectivity in this network may support certain states of consciousness ( 45 ).…”