Effects of sleep deprivation on functional brain connectivity in simulated extended-duration flights:a graph theory analysis

MIAO Jianliang; LI Xiangsheng; LIU Xiaoyu; QIAO Keyin; WANG Wei; QIAN Zhongli; CHEN Fenyang; XIAO Han; TIAN Yajun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.05.004

Abstract：Objective To explore the effects of sleep deprivation on functional brain connectivity in simulated extended-duration flights using a graph-theoretic approach in order to provide data for formulating precautions and ensuring flight safety.Methods Forty-four young and middle-aged subjects were enrolled in this study.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance(rs-fMRI)examinations were performed before and after 24 hours of sleep deprivation.Time series and functional connectivity matrices were extracted from rs-fMRI and visualized via graph theory metrics and computation of brain network metrics.The degrees,local efficiencies,clustering coefficients,and bridging connections in each brain region were computed while the global network characteristics of each subject were compared before and after sleep deprivation to assess its effects on functional brain connectivity.Results After sleep deprivation,the local efficiency in the right middle frontal gyrus and left inferior occipital gyrus increased(Z/t=2.026,3.532,PFDR=0.049,＜0.001),so did clustering coefficients(t=2.377,3.146,PFDR=0.022,0.003).The degree of the right middle occipital gyrus was also elevated(t=2.096,PFDR=0.042).In contrast,the degrees of the left superior temporal gyrus,right Heschl's gyrus,and left insula as well as the local efficiency of the right Heschl's gyrus decreased(Z/t=-2.026,2.177,2.959,2.177,PFDR=0.049,0.035,0.005,0.033).In addition,both average local efficiency and bridging connections increased(t=2.090,2.310,PFDR=0.042,0.025).Conclusion Sleep deprivation impacts the cognitive function of subjects in a simulated extended-duration flight,particularly in terms of attention and delayed memory.The brain may make adaptive responses to sleep deprivation at the local network level,but the global network efficiency may decline.