Hypoconnectivity within the cingulo‐opercular network in patients with mild cognitive impairment in Chinese communities

• Published in: International journal of geriatric psychiatry Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. e5979 - n/a
• Main Authors: Yang, Huan, Zhao, Xiaoyu, Wang, Tenglong, Zhou, Zhenhe, Cheng, Zaohuo, Zhao, Xingfu, Cao, Yuping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Activity patterns; Alzheimer's disease; Brain; cingulo‐opercular network; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology; default mode network; functional connectivity; Geriatric psychiatry; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; mild cognitive impairment; Nerve Net; Neural networks; Neurodegenerative diseases; mild cognitive impairment; functional connectivity; cingulo-opercular network; default mode network
• ISSN: 0885-6230; 1099-1166
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.5979

Introduction At rest, the brain's higher cognitive systems engage in correlated activity patterns, forming networks. With mild cognitive impairment (MCI), it is essential to understand how functional connectivity within and between resting‐state networks changes. This study used resting‐state functional connectivity to identify significant differences within and between the cingulo‐opercular network (CON) and default mode network (DMN). Methods We assessed cognitive function in patients using the Chinese version of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale‐Cognitive subscale (ADAS‐Cog). A group of MCI subjects (ages 60–83 years, n = 45) was compared to age‐matched healthy controls (n = 70). Resting‐state functional connectivity was used to determine functional connectivity strength within and between the CON and DMN. Results Compared to healthy controls, the MCI group showed significantly lower functional connectivity within the CON (F = 10.76, df = 1, p = 0.001, FDR adjusted p = 0.003). Additionally, the MCI group displayed no distinct differences in functional connectivity within DMN (F = 0.162, df = 1, p = 0.688, FDR adjusted p = 0.688) and between CON and DMN (F = 2.270, df = 1, p = 0.135, FDR adjusted p = 0.262). Moreover, we found no correlation between ADAS‐Cog and within‐ or between‐connectivity metrics among subjects with MCI. Conclusions Our findings indicate that specific patterns of hypoconnectivity within CON circuitry may characterize MCI relative to healthy controls. This work improves our understanding of network dysfunction underlying MCI and could inform more targeted treatment. Key points Identification of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is essential for dementia treatments and research. Understanding the alterations in functional connectivity within and between resting‐state networks in MCI is crucial. Compared to healthy controls, our study found the MCI group showed significantly lower functional connectivity within the cingulo‐opercular network (CON). Specific patterns of hypoconnectivity within CON circuitry may characterize MCI relative to healthy controls.