Altered functional network topology and connectivity in female nurses with shift work sleep disorder

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) in nurses is highly prevalent and is increasingly recognized for its profound impact on human health. However, the brain functional network topology, which provides a comprehensive map of the brain's information processing architecture, remains partially understood in nurses with SWSD.

45 nurses with SWSD and 45 healthy controls (HCs) underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scan. Graph theoretical analysis was used to investigate alterations in brain functional network topology. Functional network connectivity was further examined in nurses with SWSD relative to HCs. Correlations between network metrics and clinical sleep scores were also examined.

Compared to HCs, the SWSD group exhibited significantly lower global network metrics. Additionally, at the regional level, the SWSD group showed reduced nodal efficiency in specific regions, particularly within the visual processing areas and the caudate nucleus. Functional network connectivity analysis revealed a predominant pattern of weakened connectivity within the limbic network (LN), visual network (VN), default mode network (DMN), subcortical network (SN) and between the LN and SN in the SWSD group, although some inter-network connections were strengthened, predominantly the VN-ventral attention network (VAN), frontoparietal network (FPN)-VN, somatomotor network-VAN, and VN-DMN. Furthermore, poorer sleep quality correlated with reduced local efficiency in the visual cortex and insomnia severity was associated with weakened frontal connectivity.

This study reveals significant alterations in brain functional network topology and predominantly weakened functional connectivity across multiple brain networks, despite some strengthened inter-network links. These neuroimaging changes correlated with clinical measures of sleep disturbance. Our findings highlight compromised brain network organization in SWSD, offering insights into its neural mechanisms and potential biomarkers.