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Network-based statistics reveals an enhanced subnetwork in prefrontal cortex in mild cognitive impairment: a

Peirong Wu1, Zeping Lv2, Yinuo Bi3

  • 1Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
|November 18, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show altered brain connectivity in the prefrontal cortex. This enhanced right prefrontal cortex subnetwork is linked to cognitive function and may be a target for MCI treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) presents a significant risk for progression to Alzheimer's disease.
  • Understanding the neural underpinnings of MCI is crucial for early intervention and treatment development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate abnormal functional connectivity (FC) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of individuals with MCI.
  • To explore the relationship between altered FC in the PFC and cognitive function in MCI patients.

Main Methods:

  • Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure brain activity in 67 MCI patients and 71 healthy controls (HC).
  • Participants completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to evaluate cognitive function.
  • FC analysis identified specific subnetworks in the right PFC and regression models examined factors influencing cognitive scores.

Main Results:

  • MCI patients exhibited significantly lower MoCA scores compared to HC (p < 0.001).
  • An enhanced subnetwork in the right PFC was identified in the MCI group (CH12-CH15, CH12-CH16, CH13-CH15, CH13-CH16).
  • FC values within this subnetwork and education duration were significantly correlated with MoCA scores, explaining 25.7% of the variance in cognitive decline.

Conclusions:

  • The enhanced right PFC subnetwork may play a role in the pathophysiology of MCI.
  • This identified subnetwork represents a potential therapeutic target for managing MCI and preventing progression to dementia.
Keywords:
functional connectivityfunctional near-infrared spectroscopymild cognitive impairmentnetwork-based statisticsprefrontal cortex

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