BackgroundWide use of wearing a facemask is one of the many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used resting-state fMRI to search for subtle changes in brain functional connectivity, expected notably related to the high-level salience (SN) and default mode networks (DMN).Materials and MethodsProspective crossover design resting fMRI study with/without wearing a tight FFP2/KN95 facemask, including 24 consecutive male participants (mean age ± SD = 29.9 ± 6.9 years) at 3T. As physiological parameters, respiration frequency and heart rate were monitored. Data analysis was performed using the CONN toolbox.ResultsWearing an FFP2/KN95 facemask did not impact respiration or heart rate but resulted in a significant reduction in functional connectivity between the SN as the seed region and the left middle frontal and precentral gyrus. No difference was found when the DMN, sensorimotor, visual, dorsal attention or language networks were used as seed regions.ConclusionsThe wearing of tight FFP2/KN95 facemasks in men decreases the functional connectivity of the SN, which is known to be involved in communication, social behavior and self-awareness. This phenomenon was confined to the left frontal and precentral gyrus. Our results imply that the wearing of a facemask could impact our ability to detect and react appropriately to salient stimuli by altering the functional connectivity of the SN.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.