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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.

Last updated: Aug 4, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Alterations in resting-state control energy of limbic-to-subcortical networks in individuals with alcohol use disorder and comorbid sleep disturbances.

observational

Zeng N, Ding M, Wang M, Hu Q · Addictive behaviors (2026)

Participants: 184
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Observational analysis of resting-state fMRI and sleep quality (PSQI) in AUD vs. healthy controls
Outcome: Static inter-network transition energy (limbic-to-subcortical), PSQI score
Effect Size: N/A
Population: 93 individuals with alcohol use disorder and 91 demographically matched healthy controls from the Human Connectome Project

Result: 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.

PubMed: 42497733DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108802

Mechanism Graph

Sleep disturbances in AUD disrupt normal coupling between sleep quality and limbic-to-subcortical network transition energy
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In healthy controls, poorer sleep reduces transition energy, suggesting adaptive energetic downregulation
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This adaptive coupling is absent in AUD, indicating impaired energetic regulation of state transitions
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Result: Comorbid sleep disturbance in AUD may reflect disrupted energetic regulation of limbic-subcortical network dynamics

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

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References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.