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Research progress on negative functional connectivity between the default mode network and dorsal attention network in subjective cognitive decline
LIU Chenguang  PAN Xingyong  LIU Ying 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.018.


[Abstract] Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), as a preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a critical period where early identification is paramount for effective prevention and intervention. However, the current lack of objective and specific diagnostic markers poses a significant challenge to early identification. In recent years, neuroimaging studies have suggested that abnormalities in the negative functional connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and the dorsal attention network (DAN) may serve as a potential early neural marker. However, existing research findings are inconsistent, and no systematic synthesis of these findings has been conducted. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a review to integrate current progress and clarify future directions. This review focuses on the physiological basis of DMN-DAN negative functional connectivity and its alterations in individuals with SCD, synthesizes existing evidence regarding its association with AD pathological biomarkers and cognitive function, and summarizes its research value in differentiating etiologies (e.g., vascular or depression-related cognitive decline) and predicting disease progression. Additionally, it highlights methodological challenges in current research, such as participant heterogeneity and the lack of unified analytical standards, and looks ahead to future research directions including the integration of multimodal imaging and artificial intelligence. This review aims to summarize the current state and controversies in this field, providing a theoretical foundation for the development of early biomarkers based on brain network connectivity features. Ultimately, it seeks to guide clinical practice and enhance early screening, precise subtyping, and intervention efficacy for SCD.
[Keywords] subjective cognitive decline；Alzheimer's disease；default mode network；dorsal attention network；negative functional connectivity；magnetic resonance imaging；early biomarker

LIU Chenguang1   PAN Xingyong1   LIU Ying2*  

1 The Second Clinical Medical College, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, China

2 Medical Imaging Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, China

Corresponding author: LIU Y, E-mail: 83982239@qq.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2026-02-13
Accepted  2026-06-03
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.018
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.07.018.

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