A Connectome-Wide Functional Characteristic of Visual Working Memory in Earthquake Survivors

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Trauma exposure can impair visual working memory (VWM) function in survivors, irrespective of psychopathology.
• The precise neural mechanisms linking psychological trauma to working memory deficits remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the brain's functional connectivity associated with VWM performance in trauma survivors using a connectome-wide association study (CWAS).

Main Methods:

• A CWAS was performed on 93 earthquake survivors (44 with PTSD, 49 without) using resting-state fMRI.
• Wechsler Memory Scale-IV and clinical assessments were employed.
• Seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis focused on the left inferior parietal cortex (IPC).

Main Results:

• VWM performance was significantly associated with the left IPC's connectome profile.
• Positive correlations were found between left IPC connectivity and the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), posterior cingulate (PCC), and precuneus.
• Connectivity strength between the left IPC and these regions correlated with VWM scores.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the critical role of the left IPC and its connections with dmPFC, PCC, and precuneus in VWM performance among trauma survivors.
• Modulating functional connectivity within the IPC, insula, and dmPFC network may offer a strategy to improve VWM and attention bias in trauma-exposed individuals.