Total Sleep Deprivation Alters Brain Network Topology in Medical Staff: A Resting-State fMRI Study

Motivation: Medical staff frequently experience sleep deprivation, impacting both their health and patient care quality. Understanding brain network changes under sleep deprivation can guide preventive strategies. Goal(s): To evaluate the impact of total sleep deprivation (TSD) on brain network topology in medical staff. Approach: Resting-state fMRI data were analyzed using graph-theory methods to assess global and local brain network properties, examining topological changes induced by TSD. Results: Both groups showed small-world properties. The TSD group exhibited higher clustering coefficients and degree centrality in the right superior medial frontal gyrus, with reduced nodal efficiency in the left fusiform gyrus. Impact: By identifying key brain network nodes affected by total sleep deprivation, this study provides insights into neural adaptations under sleep deprivation, offering a foundation for developing targeted interventions to mitigate its cognitive and health impacts.