Research Highlights Dynamic Functional Connectivity as Candidate Biomarker for Neurodegenerative Diseases
A recent narrative review evaluates dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) from resting-state fMRI as a potential biomarker for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The review, which analyzed peer-reviewed literature from 2004 to 2020, suggests that neurodegenerative disease progression involves changes in how brain regions communicate, rather than solely local neuronal damage. Studies indicate that network flexibility, time-dependent variability, and global efficiency of brain networks are often reduced in individuals with MCI or AD. While DFC-related measures have been associated with altered temporal variability and disruptions in large-scale brain systems like the default mode network and hippocampal-cortical circuitry, the current research base is insufficient to support DFC as a validated clinical biomarker for routine use. Methodological inconsistencies, such as varying preprocessing pipelines and DFC metrics, limit direct comparisons across studies and hinder its immediate c... 
