Mild cognitive impairment includes two distinct subtypes, namely progressive mild cognitive impairment and stable mild cognitive impairment. While alterations in extensive functional connectivity have been observed in both subtypes, limited attention has been given to directed functional connectivity. A triple network, composed of the central executive network, default mode network, and salience network, is considered to be the core cognitive network. We evaluated the alterations in directed functional connectivity within and between the triple network in progressive and stable mild cognitive impairment groups and investigated its role in predicting disease conversion. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to analyze directed functional connectivity within the triple networks. A correlation analysis was performed to investigate potential associations between altered directed functional connectivity within the triple networks and the neurocognitive performance of the participants. Our study revealed significant differences in directed functional connectivity within and between the triple network in the progressive and stable mild cognitive impairment groups. Altered directed functional connectivity within the triple network was involved in episodic memory and executive function. Thus, the directed functional connectivity of the triple network may be used as an imaging marker of mild cognitive impairment.

中文翻译：

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针对稳定和进行性轻度认知障碍的三重网络的定向功能连接变化

轻度认知障碍包括两种不同的亚型，即进行性轻度认知障碍和稳定型轻度认知障碍。虽然在两种亚型中都观察到广泛功能连接的改变，但对定向功能连接的关注有限。由中央执行网络、默认模式网络和显着网络组成的三重网络被认为是核心认知网络。我们评估了进行性和稳定的轻度认知障碍组中三重网络内部和之间定向功能连接的变化，并研究了其在预测疾病转化中的作用。静息态功能磁共振成像用于分析三重网络内的定向功能连接。进行相关分析以调查三重网络内改变的定向功能连接与参与者的神经认知表现之间的潜在关联。我们的研究揭示了进行性和稳定的轻度认知障碍组中三重网络内部和之间的定向功能连接存在显着差异。三重网络内改变的定向功能连接涉及情景记忆和执行功能。因此，三元网络的定向功能连接可用作轻度认知障碍的成像标记。