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Anomalous gray matter structural networks in major depressive disorder
Manpreet K Singh1, Shelli R Kesler, S M Hadi Hosseini
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to less efficient brain networks with reduced connectivity. Specific brain regions like the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex show altered structural networks in depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Network Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) involves brain structure and function abnormalities.
- Limited research exists on network-level structural aberrations in depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gray matter structural networks in individuals with MDD using graph analysis.
- To compare network efficiency, hub distribution, and regional measures between MDD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Graph analysis applied to gray matter structural networks of 93 MDD patients and 151 healthy controls.
- Quantified local interconnectivity (clustering) and global integration (path length).
- Compared node degree and betweenness, focusing on hub contributions.
Main Results:
- MDD participants exhibited significantly decreased clustering in brain networks.
- Fewer hubs were observed in medial frontal and temporal areas in MDD.
- Altered degree and betweenness in specific regions, including the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex.
Conclusions:
- Brain networks in MDD are less efficient due to decreased regional connectivity.
- Amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex connections may influence depressive pathology.
- First report of anomalous large-scale gray matter networks in MDD, offering neurobiological insights.
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