Dysfunctions of multiscale dynamic brain functional networks in subjective cognitive decline

Subjective cognitive decline is potentially the earliest symptom of Alzheimer's disease, whose objective neurological basis remains elusive. To explore the potential biomarkers for subjective cognitive decline, we developed a novel deep learning method based on multiscale dynamical brain functional networks to identify subjective cognitive declines. We retrospectively constructed an internal data set (with 112 subjective cognitive decline and 64 healthy control subjects) to develop and internally validate the deep learning model. Conventional deep learning methods based on static and dynamic brain functional networks are compared. After the model is established, we prospectively collect an external data set (26 subjective cognitive decline and 12 healthy control subjects) for testing. Meanwhile, our method provides monitoring of the transitions between normal and abnormal (subjective cognitive decline-related) dynamical functional network states. The features of abnormal dynamical functional network states are quantified by network and variability metrics and associated with individual cognitions. Our method achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.807 ± 0.046 in the internal validation data set and of 0.707 (P = 0.007) in the external testing data set, which shows improvements compared to conventional methods. The method further suggests that, at the local level, the abnormal dynamical functional network states are characterized by decreased connectivity strength and increased connectivity variability at different spatial scales. At the network level, the abnormal states are featured by scale-specifically altered modularity and all-scale decreased efficiency. Low tendencies to stay in abnormal states and high state transition variabilities are significantly associated with high general, language and executive functions. Overall, our work supports the deficits in multiscale brain dynamical functional networks detected by the deep learning method as reliable and meaningful neural alternation underpinning subjective cognitive decline.