Self-related thought alterations associated with intrinsic brain dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment

Article Article scientifique Article Self-related thought alterations associated with intrinsic brain dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment eng 2025-04-10 author Tarailis Povilas Functional Brain Mapping Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 416541 author Lory Kim Svenja Functional Brain Mapping Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 986425 author Unschuld Paul Geriatric Psychiatry Service University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Thônex, Switzerland.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 951221 Département de psychiatrie (PSYAT) author Michel Christoph Functional Brain Mapping Laboratory, Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM), Lausanne, Switzerland. 91629 Décanat et administration de la faculté de médecine (ADMED) author Bréchet Lucie Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Campus Biotech Chemin des Mines 9, Geneva, 1202, Switzerland. lucie.brechet@unige.ch. 779378 Département des neurosciences cliniques (OTONO) Lucie Brechet 12279 10.1038/s41598-025-97240-8 40210901 2045-2322 PMC11986127 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97240-8 The subjective experience of self-awareness is attributed to the human capacity for introspective thought during periods of mind-wandering. However, how this cognitive function is impacted in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) still needs to be better understood. To address this gap, we investigated alterations in self-referential thinking in a cohort of 30 MCI patients, comparing them to 60 healthy old-aged and 60 healthy younger controls. MCI patients exhibited a notable decline in overall cognitive function, as evidenced by significantly lower scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with particular deficits in Memory subscore and Memory Index Score (MIS). Employing the Amsterdam Resting-State Questionnaire (ARSQ) to assess mind-wandering, we observed diminished self-related thoughts relating to personal past experiences and future thinking among MCI patients. Notably, using high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) microstate analysis, we detected reduced neural activity for microstate C associated with self-related thoughts in MCI patients and healthy older relative to healthy younger controls, and an increase in neural activity for microstate A in MCI patients compared to healthy older and younger controls. This aberrant temporal activity was localized within brain regions implicated in episodic autobiographical memory and the default mode network. Our results highlight a link between impaired mind-wandering ability and dysfunction within the intrinsic neural networks of MCI patients, underscoring its implications for disruptions in the sense of self within this clinical population. Cognitive decline Healthy aging MCI patients Resting-state EEG microstates Self-related thought Dewey 616.89 Dewey 616.8 Dementia Research- Synapsis Foundation Switzerland 2020-CDA03 Swiss National Science Foundation Improvement of Autobiographical Memory In Mild Cognitive Impairment using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) guided by high-density EEG and MRI 208686 CH Careers 60 Département de psychiatrie 225 53 Département de neurosciences fondamentales 21A 61 Département des neurosciences cliniques 226 false 1389 Santé mentale gériatrique et médecine de précision 1041 118 Organisation et plasticité des réseaux neuronaux cérébraux 148 Scientific reports 15 1 e517ca90-72ad-445d-b480-4c54bdaf226c Article (Published version) Public 2025_SciRep_Tarailis_Self-related_t.pdf 1810701 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 b9eb06f3744b463203e7fa336fa950c0b9327a6b1d00921ca6cc898b522b92e6 d29f3478-cebc-4c02-b980-b603b67b4d20 Supplemental data Public 41598_2025_97240_MOESM1_ESM.docx 1409333 application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document bde421b606fbef75922d50ff7183262beefd62ed91e78a760433b0c270fe7647 9312fdbf-5bda-42cb-918b-8ba6687b6f11 Supplemental data Public 41598_2025_97240_MOESM2_ESM.docx 1412799 application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document 4c265690b22f6551a06731b31f1fa5431485875c362cc748621d7f8e73e5146a openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de psychiatrie Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine fondamentale / Département de neurosciences fondamentales Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département des neurosciences cliniques

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Self-related thought alterations associated with intrinsic brain dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment	Scientific reports			2025	65	393

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Tarailis, Povilas