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Altered Default Mode Network Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Resting-State fMRI Studies
Dan‐Qi Zhang, Jinhuan Yue, Hanbin Niu, Zeyi Wei, Donghong Huang, Peng Wang, Xiaoling Li, Yuhui Zhao et al.. Current Alzheimer Research, 2025-02-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is marked by a measurable decline in cognitive function that exceeds typical age-related changes but does not yet qualify as dementia. The brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) remains active during rest and plays a crucial role in introspective processes, such as memory retrieval and self-referential thinking. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygenation, providing insights into functional connectivity within brain networks. Investigating the DMN using rs-fMRI in individuals with MCI allows researchers to identify early neural changes associated with cognitive decline, which may serve as biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. The rs-fMRI technique has been widely used in MCI research to explore the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive impairment. This study aims to synthesize findings from rs-fMRI studies focusing on alterations in DMN connectivity in MCI populations. This analysis deepens our understanding of the early-stage neural disruptions in MCI and holds significant implications for developing early diagnostic tools and interventions aimed at delaying the progression to dementia.
Key findings
- Investigating the DMN using rs-fMRI in individuals with MCI allows researchers to identify early neural changes associated with cognitive decline, which may serve as biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
- This analysis deepens our understanding of the early-stage neural disruptions in MCI and holds significant implications for developing early diagnostic tools and interventions aimed at delaying the progression to dementia.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes findings from resting-state fMRI studies showing altered connectivity in the default mode network in people with MCI. The authors suggest these early neural changes may serve as biomarkers for early detection and could inform interventions aimed at delaying progression to dementia, but no treatment was tested.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 33/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Current Alzheimer Research) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Current Alzheimer Research: journal h-index 119 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 4 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Qinhong Zhang: h-index 21 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine: institution h-index 175 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40231538) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 33 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Zhang, D., Yue, J., Niu, H., Wei, Z., Huang, D., Wang, P., et al. (2025). Altered Default Mode Network Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Resting-State fMRI Studies. Current Alzheimer Research. https://doi.org/10.2174/0115672050352061250328055829
Vancouver
Zhang D, Yue J, Niu H, Wei Z, Huang D, Wang P, et al. Altered Default Mode Network Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Resting-State fMRI Studies. Current Alzheimer Research. 2025. doi:10.2174/0115672050352061250328055829. PMID: 40231538.
BibTeX
@article{zhang2025-40231538,
author = {Zhang, Dan‐Qi and Yue, Jinhuan and Niu, Hanbin and Wei, Zeyi and Huang, Donghong and Wang, Peng and Li, Xiaoling and Zhao, Yuhui and others},
title = {{Altered Default Mode Network Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Resting-State fMRI Studies}},
journal = {Current Alzheimer Research},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.2174/0115672050352061250328055829},
pmid = {40231538},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2174/0115672050352061250328055829}
}
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