Salience Network Functional Connectivity Predicts Placebo Effects in Major Depression

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Psychiatry
• Brain Connectivity

Background:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) exhibits altered brain network connectivity.
• The predictive role of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in treatment response for MDD remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if network-based rsFC can predict antidepressant and placebo treatment responses in MDD patients.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving placebos and open-label antidepressant treatment.
• Resting-state fMRI scans were used to analyze rsFC in default-mode, salience, and executive networks.
• Associations between baseline rsFC, placebo-induced changes, and treatment response were examined.

Main Results:

• Increased baseline rsFC in the rostral anterior cingulate (rACC) within the salience network predicted greater response to both active placebo and antidepressant treatment.
• Machine learning models confirmed that salience network rsFC significantly predicts individual placebo response.

Conclusions:

• Baseline rsFC within the salience network is associated with clinical placebo responses in MDD.
• This finding may aid in identifying patients for tailored treatments or developing biomarkers for placebo effects.