The Function and Structure of Precuneus Is Associated With Subjective Sleep Quality in Major Depression

Poor sleep quality is related to depression. However, the investigation of the neural basis for poor sleep quality in individuals with major depression (MD) is limited.

Resting state functional and structural MRI data were derived from 114 MD individuals and 74 normal controls (NCs). Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and gray matter volume (GMV) were used to measure function and structure of the brain. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was performed to evaluate subjective sleep quality. Correlations were carried out to investigate links of PSQI score with brain imaging indices in MD and NCs, separately. We also examined the differences in fALFF and GMV of brain regions related to PSQI score between MD and NCs.

In contrast to NCs, MD individuals had higher PSQI score. The higher PSQI score was associated with lower fALFF and lower GMV in bilateral precuneus in MD individuals. Moreover, the MD individuals exhibited increased fALFF in bilateral precuneus compared with NCs. However, the correlation between subjective sleep quality and neuroimaging parameters was not significant in NCs.

The implication of these findings is that the function and structure of precuneus provides a neural basis for subjective poor sleep quality in MD. Understanding this may lead to better intervention of depression and associated sleep complaints.