Abnormalities of the Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Patients with Insomnia Disorder

Abstract

Objective. This paper aimed to probe changes in the default mode network (DMN) functional connectivity (DMNFC) of the brain of patients with insomnia disorder (ID) under the resting state. Methods. A total of 67 patients with ID and 67 graphically matched healthy controls were selected. Then, their general information was collected, followed by a psychological scale valuation. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning was conducted. Subsequently, collected statistics were processed, bilateral precuneus and medial superior frontal gyrus were defined as regions of interest (ROI), and the difference in intensity between these two groups was compared. Results. Compared with the healthy control group, the patients in the ID group were observed with abnormalities of DMNFC. Specifically, a significant increase in the functional connectivity (FC) could be observed between the left medial superior frontal gyrus and left central anterior gyrus, the left medial superior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate gyrus, the right medial superior frontal gyrus and left central anterior gyrus, the left anterior cuneiform and left central anterior/posterior gyrus, the left anterior cuneiform and left superior occipital gyrus, as well as the right anterior cuneiform and left central posterior gyrus. However, the FC between the left anterior cuneiform and the right middle frontal gyrus was weakened, as well as between the left anterior cuneiform and the right angle gyrus and between the right precuneus and the left inferior temporal gyrus. Conclusion. ID patients may suffer changes in FC. The decline of FC in DMN may be one of the underlying causes of ID; the enhancement of FC between DMN and the visual-spatial attention network may play a key role in the mechanisms of impaired brain functional networks of ID.