Prediction of AVLT-DR scores for 50 aMCI patients was based on the T₁ whole-brain FC of each individual. Evaluated by multivariate RVR and LOOCV, the pattern of T₁ whole-brain FC failed to predict the T₁ AVLT-DR scores (r = 0.17, P = 0.082), but significantly predicted the T2 AVLT-DR scores (A; r = 0.50, P < 0.001). (B) By quantifying the contribution of each feature to the model based on its RVR weight absolute value, the connectivity that contributed the most to the T2 AVLT-DR score prediction (i.e. the top 1% connectivity) included within-default mode connections, within-limbic connections and the connections between default mode and limbic systems. (C) These connections with the highest absolute contribution weight mainly displayed long anatomical distance (25/40 long-range connections). aMCI, amnestic mild cognitive impairment; AVLT-DR, Auditory Verbal Learning Test Delayed Recall; FC, functional connectivity; T1, T₁ time point (i.e. baseline); T2, T₂ time point (i.e. 3-year follow-up). For the abbreviations of the brain regions, see Supplementary Table 1.