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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Neurosci.
Sec. Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Volume 18 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1414154
This article is part of the Research Topic Sleep Disorders and Cerebrovascular Diseases View all 3 articles

The Abnormalities of Brain Function in Females with Primary Insomnia: A Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Provisionally accepted
Haiyi Zhang Haiyi Zhang 1,2Pingping Jie Pingping Jie 2*Yingchun Liu Yingchun Liu 2*Lunxin Wu Lunxin Wu 2*Oucheng Wang Oucheng Wang 2*Yong Zhang Yong Zhang 3*Jiliang Fang Jiliang Fang 4*Quan Wang Quan Wang 5*Jie Zhao Jie Zhao 2*Yong Liu Yong Liu 2*
  • 1 Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
  • 2 Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
  • 3 Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Tui-Na and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
  • 4 Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
  • 5 Department of General Family Medicine, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The neuropathologic mechanism of primary insomnia (PI) of females remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the features of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) in females with PI using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and then explore the abnormalities of functional connectivity (FC). A total of 39 female PI patients and 31 female healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. The sleep condition was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and their depressive symptom was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24). The rs-fMRI was once conducted for every subject. ReHo, ALFF, and ROI-based FC were used to analyze the changes of brain function. The results showed that ALFF values were increased in the Cerebelum_4_5_L, as well as decreased ALFF in the bilateral Frontal_Sup_Medial (SFGmed), Angular_L (ANG.L), Parietal_Inf_R (IPL.R), SupraMarginal_R (SMG.R), and Postcentral_R (PoCG.R). ReHo values were increased in the Temporal_Pole_Mid_R (TPOsup.R), as well as decreased ReHo in the Insula_R (INS.R), Frontal_Inf_Oper_R (ORBinf.R), Putamen_R (PUT.R), Rolandic_Oper_R (ROL.R), bilateral Cingulum_Post (PCG), bilateral Frontal_Sup_Medial (SFGmed), bilateral anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri (ACG), and the bilateral precuneus (PCUN). Across the entire brain, there was a decline in the FC between Angular_R and Frontal_Sup_Medial_L. Alterations in brain regions of female patients with PI involved multiple functional networks, including the default mode network, the salience network, the central executive network, and the limbic network. Reduced coordination between functional networks may be an important mechanism for insomnia and may lead to reduced cognitive function and decision-making ability.

    Keywords: Primary insomnia, females, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, functional connectivity, Neuropathologic mechanism

    Received: 08 Apr 2024; Accepted: 18 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Zhang, Jie, Liu, Wu, Wang, Zhang, Fang, Wang, Zhao and Liu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Pingping Jie, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
    Yingchun Liu, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
    Lunxin Wu, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
    Oucheng Wang, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
    Yong Zhang, Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Tui-Na and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
    Jiliang Fang, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, Beijing Municipality, China
    Quan Wang, Department of General Family Medicine, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
    Jie Zhao, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China
    Yong Liu, Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, luzhou, China

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