title: Differential activation of the default mode network in jet lagged individuals.
abstract: Long-term exposure to transmeridian flights has been shown to impact cognitive functioning. Nevertheless, the immediate effects of jet lag in the activation of specific brain networks have not been investigated. We analyzed the impact of short-term jet lag on the activation of the default mode network (DMN). A group of individuals who were on a transmeridian flight and a control group went through a functional magnetic resonance imaging acquisition. Statistical analysis was performed to test for differences in the DMN activation between groups. Participants from the jet lag group presented decreased activation in the anterior nodes of the DMN, specifically in bilateral medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex. No areas of increased activation were observed for the jet lag group. These results may be suggestive of a negative impact of jet lag on important cognitive functions such as introspection, emotional regulation and decision making in a few days after individuals arrive at their destination.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho , Braga , Portugal .
authors.forename: Joana Fernandes
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: Oscar Filipe
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernandes Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perrone-McGovern
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simon-Dack
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Silva
authors.forename: Ana Raquel
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sampaio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064870:Air Travel; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020179:Jet Lag Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brain; default mode network; jet lag