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Near-infrared brain functional characteristics of mild cognitive impairment with sleep disorders

Heng Liao1, Sha Liao2, Yu-Jiao Gao3

  • 1Sleep Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Taihe Hospital of Shiyan City, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei Province, China. liaoheng522@163.com.

World Journal of Psychiatry
|January 20, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sleep disorders exhibit reduced near-infrared brain function, linked to poorer sleep quality. Comprehensive brain function assessment is recommended for targeted MCI treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) significantly increases the risk of progression to Alzheimer's disease.
  • Sleep disorders are frequently observed in Alzheimer's disease patients, but their impact on MCI brain function remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain function characteristics in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who also experience sleep disorders.
  • To explore the relationship between sleep quality parameters and brain activity in MCI patients.

Main Methods:

  • Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to assess brain function in 120 MCI patients and 50 healthy controls.
  • Data collected included baseline information, cognitive assessments (MMSE, MoCA), fatigue severity scale (FSS), sleep parameters, and fNIRS-derived oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration and peak times.
  • Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses were used to examine the relationship between Oxy-Hb concentration and related indices.

Main Results:

  • MCI patients with sleep disorders showed significantly higher FSS scores and poorer sleep quality indicators (e.g., sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction) compared to controls.
  • fNIRS revealed lower oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentrations and delayed peak times in the MCI group during task periods, indicating altered brain activity.
  • Oxy-Hb concentration in MCI patients was negatively correlated with poor sleep quality metrics and positively correlated with better sleep efficiency and total sleep time.

Conclusions:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients with sleep disorders exhibit diminished near-infrared brain function compared to healthy individuals, directly related to sleep quality.
  • Clinical assessment of near-infrared brain function in MCI patients is crucial for guiding personalized treatment strategies and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Keywords:
Brain functionalCharacteristicsCognitive impairmentMildNear-infraredSleep disorders

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