Hypoconnectivity within the cingulo-opercular network in patients with mild cognitive impairment in Chinese communities

Introduction: At rest, the brain's higher cognitive systems engage in correlated activity patterns, forming networks. With mild cognitive impairment (MCI), it is essential to understand how functional connectivity within and between resting-state networks changes. This study used resting-state functional connectivity to identify significant differences within and between the cingulo-opercular network (CON) and default mode network (DMN). Methods: We assessed cognitive function in patients using the Chinese version of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog). A group of MCI subjects (ages 60-83 years, n = 45) was compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 70). Resting-state functional connectivity was used to determine functional connectivity strength within and between the CON and DMN. Results: Compared to healthy controls, the MCI group showed significantly lower functional connectivity within the CON (F = 10.76, df = 1, p = 0.001, FDR adjusted p = 0.003). Additionally, the MCI group displayed no distinct differences in functional connectivity within DMN (F = 0.162, df = 1, p = 0.688, FDR adjusted p = 0.688) and between CON and DMN (F = 2.270, df = 1, p = 0.135, FDR adjusted p = 0.262). Moreover, we found no correlation between ADAS-Cog and within- or between-connectivity metrics among subjects with MCI. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that specific patterns of hypoconnectivity within CON circuitry may characterize MCI relative to healthy controls. This work improves our understanding of network dysfunction underlying MCI and could inform more targeted treatment.

Automated summary

This study investigates the functional connectivity changes within and between the cingulo-opercular network (CON) and default mode network (DMN) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The results show significantly lower functional connectivity within CON in the MCI group compared to healthy controls. However, there were no distinct differences in functional connectivity within DMN and between CON and DMN. These findings contribute to our understanding of network dysfunction in MCI and could inform targeted treatment.