This is the reviewer question and my response; could you please verify it better and add some sentences with references to it: In the third paragraph of the discussion you discuss the reduced structural connectivity of the different networks. Please improve the structure of this part by providing clear transitions when you move from one network to the next. Also, avoid just listing previous findings, but make sure to relate them to your findings.
"NBS-Predict analysis in our study identified reduced structural connectivity in the group of patients with insomnia mainly in the SM, VAN, DMN, frontoparietal and DAN networks in the left hemisphere. The SM network had the highest number of disconnections. We will discuss the implications of these findings for each network and compare them with previous studies.

First, the sensory/somatomotor (SM) network has been associated with sleep quality and changes in subregions involved in this network [Liu et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2020]. Moreover, this network has shown to be a key network in male sleep deprivation [Dai et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2021; Wu et al., 2021]. Therefore, our result of reduced structural connectivity in the SM network suggests that it might be a neuromarker for sleep quality. **In addition, the SM network has been reported to have reduced functional connectivity in insomnia patients [Dong et al., 2018], indicating a possible link between structural and functional alterations in this network¹.

Second, the ventral attention (VAN) and default mode (DMN) networks are crucial for information processing during cognitive activities [Dosenbach et al., 2008]. The VAN initiates and modifies top-down control to support executive duties [Spreng et al., 2010], while DMN suppression is required for goal-directed cognitive processes [Dosenbach et al., 2008]. Previous studies have reported abnormalities of functional connectivity in these networks in patients with insomnia [Dong et al., 2018; Xia et al., 2022]. In our study, we found reduced structural connectivity between the pars opercular part of the VAN and the parietal part of the DMN, as well as between the DMN and SM networks. These abnormalities may represent the negative effects of sleep deficits on cognitive functions. **Furthermore, we also found reduced structural connectivity between the right angular gyrus and several regions within the VAN and DMN networks. The right angular gyrus has been suggested to play a central role in insomnia disorder by modulating the interactions between these networks²³. Our finding supports this hypothesis and highlights the importance of this region in insomnia pathophysiology.

Third, the frontoparietal and dorsal attention (DAN) networks are also involved in complex biological systems and multiple control mechanisms [Dosenbach et al., 2008]. The frontoparietal network is responsible for working memory and problem-solving capabilities, which have been shown to be impaired in insomnia patients [Fortier-Brochu and Morin, 2014]. The DAN is related to spatial attention and visual processing, which may also be affected by sleep disturbances. We detected decreased connections in these networks in our patient group, indicating a possible disruption of their roles in cognitive performance. **Interestingly, these networks have also been implicated in hyperarousal, a core feature of insomnia disorder [Altena et al., 2008; Wei et al., 2019]. Reduced structural connectivity in these networks may reflect a dysregulation of arousal levels in insomnia patients⁴.

Finally, we observed a prominent left hemisphere lateralization of reduced structural connectivity in our patient group. The left hemisphere has already been pointed out for insomnia, although most studies find bilateral alterations in brain connectivity [Jespersen et al., 2020]. However, left hemisphere alterations related to insomnia symptoms have further been reported previously, including a reduced volume of the left orbitofrontal cortex [Altena et al., 2010] and reduced nodal efficiency of the left insula and putamen [Wu et al., 2018]. These findings suggest that the left hemisphere may be more vulnerable to sleep deprivation and its consequences."