Comorbid sleep disturbance in alcohol use disorder is associated with disrupted energetic regulation of limbic-to-subcortical network state transitions
In individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid sleep disturbances, the energetic cost of transitions from limbic to subcortical brain networks is altered compared to healthy controls. A significant Group × PSQI interaction (Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.020) showed that in healthy controls, poorer sleep was linked to lower transition energy, but this coupling was absent in AUD. Eleven specific ROI pairs, including parahippocampal, amygdalar, and temporal regions to thalamic subnuclei, survived correction.
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Comorbid sleep disturbance in alcohol use disorder is associated with disrupted energetic regulation of limbic-to-subcortical network state transitions The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Comorbid sleep disturbance in alcohol use disorder is associated with disrupted energetic regulation of limbic-to-subcortical network state transitions
This conclusion is most relevant to: 93 individuals with alcohol use disorder and 91 demographically matched healthy controls from the Human Connectome Project.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Alterations in resting-state control energy of limbic-to-subcortical networks in individuals with alcohol use disorder and comorbid sleep disturbances. (Addictive behaviors, 2026) — In individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid sleep disturbances, the energetic cost of transitions from limbic to subcortical brain networks is altered compared to healthy controls. A significant Group × PSQI interaction (Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.020) showed that in healthy controls, poorer sleep was linked to lower transition energy, but this coupling was absent in AUD. Eleven specific ROI pairs, including parahippocampal, amygdalar, and temporal regions to thalamic subnuclei, survived correction.
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Sleep disturbances in AUD disrupt normal coupling between sleep quality and limbic-to-subcortical network transition energy
- ▸In healthy controls, poorer sleep reduces transition energy, suggesting adaptive energetic downregulation
- ▸This adaptive coupling is absent in AUD, indicating impaired energetic regulation of state transitions
- ▸Result: Comorbid sleep disturbance in AUD may reflect disrupted energetic regulation of limbic-subcortical network dynamics
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸93 individuals with alcohol use disorder and 91 demographically matched healthy controls from the Human Connectome Project
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Observational design cannot establish causality between sleep disturbances and network energy changes
- ▸Only resting-state fMRI was used; task-based or dynamic measures might provide additional insights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is network control energy?▼
Network control energy quantifies the energetic cost required to transition between different large-scale brain network states, as derived from resting-state fMRI and network control theory.
How was sleep disturbance measured in this study?▼
Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a self-report questionnaire measuring sleep quality, latency, efficiency, and disturbances over the past month.
What brain networks were involved in the significant finding?▼
The significant Group × PSQI interaction was observed for transitions from the limbic network to the subcortical network, with specific ROI pairs including parahippocampal, amygdalar, and temporal regions targeting thalamic subnuclei.
Does this study suggest a treatment target for sleep problems in AUD?▼
The study identifies a neural mechanism (disrupted energetic regulation) that could inform future interventions, but does not test any treatment directly.
References
- 1.Zeng N, Ding M, Wang M, Hu Q. “Alterations in resting-state control energy of limbic-to-subcortical networks in individuals with alcohol use disorder and comorbid sleep disturbances..” Addictive behaviors, 2026. PMID: 42497733 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108802