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Exploration of working memory retrieval stage for mild cognitive impairment: time-varying causality analysis of electroencephalogram based on dynamic brain networks
Yi Jiang, Zhiwei Guo, Xiaobo Zhou, Ning Jiang, Jiayuan He. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2025-03-13
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Our results showed that: (a) Behavioral data analysis: there were significant differences in accuracy and accuracy / reaction time between MCI and NC in tasks with memory load capacity of low load-four and high load-six, especially in tasks with memory load capacity of four. (b) Dynamic brain network analysis: there were significant differences in the dynamic changes of brain network patterns between the two groups during the memory retrieval stage of the WM task. Specifically, in low load WM tasks, the dynamic brain network changes of NC were more regular to accommodate for efficient information processing, with important core nodes showing a transition from bottom to up, while MCI did not display a regular dynamic brain network pattern. Further, the brain functional areas associated with low load WM disorders were mainly located in the left prefrontal lobe (FC1) and right occipital lobe (PO8). Compared with low load WM task, during the high load WM task, the dynamic brain network changes of NC during the memory retrieval stage were regular, and the core nodes exhibited a consistent transition phenomenon from up to bottom to up, which were not observed in MCI. Behavioral data in the low load WM task paradigm and abnormal electrophysiological signals in the left prefrontal (FC1) and right occipital lobes (PO8) could be used for MCI diagnosis. This is the first time based on large-scale dynamic network methods to investigate the dynamic network patterns of MCI memory retrieval stages under different load WM tasks, providing a new perspective on the neural mechanisms of WM deficits in MCI patients and providing some reference for the clinical intervention treatment of MCI-WM memory disorders.
Key findings
- Our results showed that: (a) Behavioral data analysis: there were significant differences in accuracy and accuracy / reaction time between MCI and NC in tasks with memory load capacity of low load-four and high load-six, especially in tasks with memory load capacity of four.
- (b) Dynamic brain network analysis: there were significant differences in the dynamic changes of brain network patterns between the two groups during the memory retrieval stage of the WM task.
- Specifically, in low load WM tasks, the dynamic brain network changes of NC were more regular to accommodate for efficient information processing, with important core nodes showing a transition from bottom to up, while MCI did not display a regular dynamic brain network pattern.
- Further, the brain functional areas associated with low load WM disorders were mainly located in the left prefrontal lobe (FC1) and right occipital lobe (PO8).
- Compared with low load WM task, during the high load WM task, the dynamic brain network changes of NC during the memory retrieval stage were regular, and the core nodes exhibited a consistent transition phenomenon from up to bottom to up, which were not observed in MCI.
Why it matters
This study found differences in brain network patterns and behavioral accuracy between people with mild cognitive impairment and normal controls during working memory tasks. The authors suggest that behavioral data and abnormal electrophysiological signals in the left prefrontal and right occipital lobes could be used for MCI diagnosis, but this is early diagnostic research and does not test any treatment.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 41/100
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 (Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation: journal h-index 161 (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 | 2 / 7 | Cited 7 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 7 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Jiayuan He: h-index 21 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: institution h-index 756 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40083013) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 41 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s12984-025-01594-z
- PubMed: 40083013
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Jiang, Y., Guo, Z., Zhou, X., Jiang, N., & He, J. (2025). Exploration of working memory retrieval stage for mild cognitive impairment: time-varying causality analysis of electroencephalogram based on dynamic brain networks. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01594-z
Vancouver
Jiang Y, Guo Z, Zhou X, Jiang N, He J. Exploration of working memory retrieval stage for mild cognitive impairment: time-varying causality analysis of electroencephalogram based on dynamic brain networks. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2025. doi:10.1186/s12984-025-01594-z. PMID: 40083013.
BibTeX
@article{jiang2025-40083013,
author = {Jiang, Yi and Guo, Zhiwei and Zhou, Xiaobo and Jiang, Ning and He, Jiayuan},
title = {{Exploration of working memory retrieval stage for mild cognitive impairment: time-varying causality analysis of electroencephalogram based on dynamic brain networks}},
journal = {Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1186/s12984-025-01594-z},
pmid = {40083013},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-025-01594-z}
}
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