Alterations of functional brain activity and connectivity in female nurses working on long- term shift

Key Findings:

• Reduced Functional Activity: Nurses engaged in long-term shift work exhibited decreased functional activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), right superior parietal lobule (SPL), and right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ​

• Weakened Functional Connectivity: There was a noted reduction in functional connectivity between the right dlPFC and both the right SPL and right ACC in these nurses. ​

• Cognitive and Emotional Impact: These neural alterations were associated with higher levels of burnout, perceived stress, and depression among nurses working long-term shifts. ​