Simultaneous EEG-PET-MRI identifies temporally coupled and spatially structured brain dynamics across wakefulness and NREM sleep

Jingyuan E. Chen (), Laura D. Lewis, Sean E. Coursey, Ciprian Catana, Jonathan R. Polimeni, Jiawen Fan, Kyle S. Droppa, Rudra Patel, Hsiao-Ying Wey, Catie Chang, Dara S. Manoach, Julie C. Price, Christin Y. Sander and Bruce R. Rosen
Additional contact information
Jingyuan E. Chen: Massachusetts General Hospital
Laura D. Lewis: Massachusetts General Hospital
Sean E. Coursey: Massachusetts General Hospital
Ciprian Catana: Massachusetts General Hospital
Jonathan R. Polimeni: Massachusetts General Hospital
Jiawen Fan: Massachusetts General Hospital
Kyle S. Droppa: Massachusetts General Hospital
Rudra Patel: Massachusetts General Hospital
Hsiao-Ying Wey: Massachusetts General Hospital
Catie Chang: Vanderbilt University
Dara S. Manoach: Massachusetts General Hospital
Julie C. Price: Massachusetts General Hospital
Christin Y. Sander: Massachusetts General Hospital
Bruce R. Rosen: Massachusetts General Hospital

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Sleep entails significant changes in cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism. Yet, the way these processes evolve throughout wakefulness and sleep and their spatiotemporal dependence remain largely unknown. Here, by integrating a functional PET technique with simultaneous EEG-fMRI, we reveal a tightly coupled temporal progression of global hemodynamics and metabolism during the descent into NREM sleep, with large hemodynamic fluctuations emerging as global glucose metabolism declines, both of which track EEG arousal dynamics. Furthermore, we identify two distinct network patterns that emerge during NREM sleep: a ~0.02-Hz oscillating, high-metabolism sensorimotor network remains active and dynamic, whereas hemodynamic and metabolic activity in the default-mode network is suppressed. These results elucidate how sleep diminishes awareness while preserving sensory responses, and uncover a complex, alternating balance of neuronal, hemodynamic, and metabolic dynamics in the sleeping brain. This work also demonstrates the potential of EEG-PET-MRI to explore neuro-metabolic-hemodynamic mechanisms underlying cognition and arousal in humans.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64414-x

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