The brain network organization during sleep onset after deprivation
Objective: Aim of the present study is to investigate the alterations of brain networks derived from EEG
analysis in pre- and post-sleep onset conditions after 40 h of sleep deprivation (SD) compared to sleep
onset after normal sleep in 39 healthy subjects.
Methods: Functional connectivity analysis was made on electroencelographic (EEG) cortical sources of
current density and small world (SW) index was evaluated in the EEG frequency bands (delta, theta,
alpha, sigma and beta).
Results: Comparing pre- vs. post-sleep onset conditions after a night of SD a significant decrease of SW in
delta and theta bands in post-sleep onset condition was found together with an increase of SW in sigma
band. Comparing pre-sleep onset after sleep SD versus pre-sleep onset after a night of normal sleep a
decreased of SW index in beta band in pre-sleep onset in SD compared to pre-sleep onset in normal sleep
was evidenced.
Conclusions: Brain functional network architecture is influenced by the SD in different ways. Brain networks
topology during wake resting state needs to be further explored to reveal SD-related changes in
order to prevent possible negative effects of SD on behaviour and brain function during wakefulness.
Significance: The SW modulations as revealed by the current study could be used as an index of an altered
balance between brain integration and segregation processes after SD.