Regional gray matter changes in shift workers: a voxel-based morphometry study

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Sleep Medicine
• Structural Brain Imaging

Background:

• Disrupted sleep-wake cycles in sleep disorders are linked to brain structural changes.
• Shift work is a common occupational factor associated with sleep disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate structural brain differences in shift workers compared to day workers.
• To explore the relationship between brain structure and sleep quality in shift workers.

Main Methods:

• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to compare regional gray matter volume.
• Participants included 19 male shift workers and 19 male day workers.
• Sleep quality was assessed using validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Shift workers exhibited higher scores on depression, sleepiness, and sleep quality indices.
• A significant reduction in gray matter volume was observed in the pontomesencephalic tegmentum of shift workers.
• Reduced pontomesencephalic tegmentum volume correlated negatively with overall sleep quality.

Conclusions:

• Shift workers have reduced pontomesencephalic tegmentum gray matter volume compared to day workers.
• This structural change is associated with poorer sleep quality.
• Findings suggest potential impacts of circadian rhythm disruption or reduced light exposure in shift workers.