Neural correlates of shift work in nurses: Alterations in cortical gyrification and functional connectivity

Oct 11, 2025Sleep medicine

Brain surface folding and communication changes linked to shift work in nurses

AI simplified

Abstract

Night-shift nurses showed increased local gyrification index in the right superior temporal gyrus compared to day-shift nurses.

  • Night-shift nurses reported poorer sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression.
  • Altered brain structure included increased local gyrification in the right superior temporal gyrus extending to the superior temporal sulcus.
  • Functional connectivity changes were observed, with reduced connectivity between the superior temporal gyrus and posterior cerebellum.
  • Increased connectivity between the superior temporal gyrus and precuneus/cuneus was associated with higher anxiety scores and poorer sleep quality.
  • Higher local gyrification index correlated with poorer sleep quality among the pooled data.

AI simplified

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

what lands in your inbox each week:

  • 📚7 fresh studies
  • 📝plain-language summaries
  • direct links to original studies
  • 🏅top journal indicators
  • 📅weekly delivery
  • 🧘‍♂️always free