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Neural network disruptions between default mode network and salience network in mild cognitive impairment with neuropsychiatric symptoms
Chenxi Pan, Renren Li, Yuan Xiao, Jing Ma, Wei Zhang, Xiaoran Zheng, Zhihao Tu, Ying Su et al.. International Psychogeriatrics, 2025-05-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
In the MCI+NPS group, the most frequently endorsed NPS was anxiety (46.2 %), the less prevalent NPS was euphoria/elation (1.44 %). Compared with the MCI-NPS group, there was abnormal FC between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (P < 0.05) in the MCI+NPS group, which was significantly associated with total NPI-Q score (r = 0.244, p = 0.000), affective symptoms (r = 0.212, p = 0.000), and hyperactivity symptoms (r = 0.196 p = 0.000). The mPFC area of MCI-NPS group was smaller than that of CN group (p < 0.05), and the area of mPFC was significantly associated with hyperactivity symptoms in MCI group. Dysfunction of DMN and SN may partly contribute to the NPS in MCI patients, especially affective symptoms and hyperactivity symptoms. Our results complement the evidence linking NPS with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
Key findings
- In the MCI+NPS group, the most frequently endorsed NPS was anxiety (46.2 %), the less prevalent NPS was euphoria/elation (1.44 %).
- Compared with the MCI-NPS group, there was abnormal FC between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (P < 0.05) in the MCI+NPS group, which was significantly associated with total NPI-Q score (r = 0.244, p = 0.000), affective symptoms (r = 0.212, p = 0.000), and hyperactivity symptoms (r = 0.196 p = 0.000).
- The mPFC area of MCI-NPS group was smaller than that of CN group (p < 0.05), and the area of mPFC was significantly associated with hyperactivity symptoms in MCI group.
- Dysfunction of DMN and SN may partly contribute to the NPS in MCI patients, especially affective symptoms and hyperactivity symptoms.
- Our results complement the evidence linking NPS with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.
Why it matters
This cross-sectional study found abnormal functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex in people with mild cognitive impairment who had neuropsychiatric symptoms. It describes a possible brain network contribution to these symptoms and does not test any treatment, cure or prevention.
Study details
- Study designcross-sectional
- Participants376
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a snapshot of people at one point in time. Scored zero for effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (International Psychogeriatrics) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | International Psychogeriatrics: journal h-index 161 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 4 / 12 | A snapshot of people at one point in time |
| 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 | 2 / 4 | 376 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 9 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 5.1× 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 9 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Yunxia Li: h-index 14 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Fudan University: institution h-index 954 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 5 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40413109) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100092
- PubMed: 40413109
- Original source →
- Free full text: International Psychogeriatrics →
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. 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
Pan, C., Li, R., Xiao, Y., Ma, J., Zhang, W., Zheng, X., et al. (2025). Neural network disruptions between default mode network and salience network in mild cognitive impairment with neuropsychiatric symptoms. International Psychogeriatrics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100092
Vancouver
Pan C, Li R, Xiao Y, Ma J, Zhang W, Zheng X, et al. Neural network disruptions between default mode network and salience network in mild cognitive impairment with neuropsychiatric symptoms. International Psychogeriatrics. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100092. PMID: 40413109.
BibTeX
@article{pan2025-40413109,
author = {Pan, Chenxi and Li, Renren and Xiao, Yuan and Ma, Jing and Zhang, Wei and Zheng, Xiaoran and Tu, Zhihao and Su, Ying and others},
title = {{Neural network disruptions between default mode network and salience network in mild cognitive impairment with neuropsychiatric symptoms}},
journal = {International Psychogeriatrics},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100092},
pmid = {40413109},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100092}
}
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