Circadian rhythm disruption alters gray and white matter microstructure: Higher-order diffusion analysis coupled with hormonal/inflammatory biomarkers

Figure 1 Images of diffusion parameters (intracellular volume fraction, volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water, and orientation dispersion index) in the circadian rhythm disruption group and the control group. Control is sub_002, and circadian rhythm disruption is sub_009. ICVF: Intracellular volume fraction; ISOVF: Volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water; OD: Orientation dispersion index; CRD: Circadian rhythm disruption.

Figure 2 Brain regions showing significant differences in volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water and intracellular volume fraction of gray/white matter values between the circadian rhythm disruption and control groups. A: Significantly higher volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water values in gray matter were found in the circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) group compared with the control group in the left and right superior occipital gyrus; B: Values of intracellular volume fraction (ICVF) in gray matter were significantly higher in the CRD group compared to the control group in the following brain regions: Left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, left cuneus, right cuneus, left superior occipital gyrus, right superior occipital gyrus, and left middle occipital gyrus; C: ICVF levels in white matter were also significantly higher in the CRD group compared to the control group, specifically in the pontine crossing tract, left posterior limb of the internal capsule, and left superior coronal radiata. L: Left; R: Right; ICVF: Intracellular volume fraction; ISOVF: Volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water.

Figure 3 Scatter Plot illustrating significant differences in volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water and intracellular volume fraction of gray/white matter values between the circadian rhythm disruption and control groups. A: Volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water differences in gray matter: Left superior occipital gyrus, right superior occipital gyrus; B: Intracellular volume fraction (ICVF) differences in gray matter: Left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, left cuneus, right cuneus, left superior occipital gyrus, right superior occipital gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus; C: ICVF differences in white matter tract: Pontine crossing tract, left posterior limb of the internal capsule, left superior coronal radiata. L: Left; R: Right; ISOVF: Volume fraction of the isotropically diffusing water; ICVF: Intracellular volume fraction; CRD: Circadian rhythm disruption.