Abnormal pattern of voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity in radiologists with night shift–related sleep deprivation

Motivation: This study aims to investigate the neuroimaging mechanisms underlying synergistic abnormalities in both hemispheres of the brain in radiologists who experienced sleep deprivation (SD) due to night shifts. Goal(s): To explore the interhemispheric information synergy ability of the brain in radiologists following night shift–related SD using the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC). Approach: This study involves calculating the VMHC values of the symmetrical interhemispheric voxels in the whole brain. Results: The VMHC values were found changed in certain brain regions after seven days of rest following a night shift. Impact: Changes in VMHC could potentially serve as a potential imaging marker to indicate the brain regions vulnerable to night-shift related damage in radiologists, as well as key brain region that affect work performance.