Altered functional connectivity during visual working memory state in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by significant memory deficits, particularly in working memory.
• Understanding the neural basis of working memory (WM) dysfunction in MCI is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectral density and large-scale network patterns during visual working memory coding in individuals with MCI compared to normal controls (NC).
• To identify distinct brain activity and connectivity differences associated with WM deficits in MCI.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings to analyze power spectral density and large-scale network connectivity.
• Compared brain activity and network patterns during visual working memory tasks between MCI patients and NC.

Main Results:

• MCI patients exhibited significant θ frequency band synchronization in the left/right prefrontal and central regions, and desynchronization in the left temporal lobe compared to NC.
• Brain network analysis revealed reduced top-down (frontal to parietal) connectivity and increased bottom-up (frontal to occipital) information flow in MCI during WM coding.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal EEG rhythms and altered brain region connectivity are potential indicators of working memory disorders in MCI.
• These findings offer new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying WM impairments in MCI patients.