Molecular mechanisms explaining sex-specific functional connectivity changes in chronic insomnia disorder
Liyong Yu1, Zhifu Shen2,3, Wei Wei1
1School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.37 Shierqiao Road, Chengdu, 610075, China.
BMC Medicine
|May 5, 2025
Summary
Chronic insomnia disorder shows sex-specific brain connectivity changes. Molecular mechanisms influence these differences, impacting diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Chronic insomnia disorder (CID) may involve sex-specific alterations in resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC).
- Molecular mechanisms might underlie CID pathophysiology by modulating rsFC in key brain networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-specific rsFC changes in CID.
- To identify molecular mechanisms contributing to sex-specific rsFC alterations in CID.
- To assess the impact of sex composition on diagnostic accuracy using rsFC data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of resting-state fMRI data from 395 participants (199 CID patients, 196 controls).
- Examination of sex-specific rsFC in the default mode network (DMN) and five insomnia-related ROIs.
- Integration of gene expression data and enrichment analysis to identify molecular pathways.
- Machine learning models used to differentiate CID from controls based on sex-specific rsFC.
Main Results:
- Identified shared and sex-specific rsFC changes in the DMN and ROIs.
- Found associations between gene expression variations and sex-specific connectivity differences.
- Highlighted genes involved in synaptic signaling, ion channels, and immune function.
- Demonstrated that sex-specific rsFC data yields higher diagnostic performance than combined-sex data.
Conclusions:
- CID exhibits both shared and sex-specific connectivity alterations.
- Molecular insights into CID pathophysiology were revealed.
- Emphasized the importance of considering sex differences in fMRI-based diagnostic and treatment strategies for CID.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Insomnia
75
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Multiple factors contribute...
75
01:19Management of Insomnia
207
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
207
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
118
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
118
01:24Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance
274
Primary motives such as sleep, sex, and pain avoidance are crucial drivers of behavior in humans and animals. These motives ensure survival, reproductive success, and overall well-being by prompting actions that meet essential bodily needs.
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...
274
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
119
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
119
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
1.1K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.1K