Systematic review synthesizes how seasonal and environmental factors influence brain connectivity, highlighting implications for neuroimaging and clinical practice.
Key Points
This review aims to summarize how seasonal and environmental factors affect brain functional connectivity using fMRI studies.
Conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for fMRI studies from 2010 to 2025.
Included studies that evaluated the effects of environmental factors such as photoperiod and temperature.
Used a narrative synthesis approach to manage methodological heterogeneity and complied with PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Sixteen studies included, revealing seasonal impacts on connectivity in the default mode network, salience network, and sensorimotor network.
Photoperiod showed consistent effects, peaking in autumn and reducing in summer for DMN and SMN connectivity.
Circadian rhythms and temperature variations also influenced connectivity patterns, with methodological factors like scanner stability being critical.