Neurovascular Coupling Mechanisms Underlying Spatial Working Memory Alternations in Healthy Males Following 24 Hours of Sleep Deprivation

Motivation: The specific neural mechanisms by which SD impairs SWM remain researched. Goal(s): This study explores the NVC mechanisms affecting SWM in healthy adults after SD. Approach: We acquired BOLD, 3D-T1, and ASL sequences. After data processing, voxel-based ALFF, fALFF, ReHo, DC, and CBF were obtained. Ratios of CBF to function index were calculated to evaluate NVC. Brain regions showing intergroup differences were selected as ROIs, from which average ROI values were extracted for correlation analysis with 1-back metrics. Results: We found that the degree of NVC in certain regions differed after SD, and NVC indices in specific regions were correlated with 1-back metrics. Impact: It is widely acknowledged that SD has adverse effects on memory. Changes in NVC in specific brain regions after SD suggest possible cause for SWM impairment, providing direction for further exploration into the detailed neural mechanisms of SD-induced SWM damage.