Brain structure and function link to variation in biobehavioral dimensions across the psychopathological continuum

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Psychopathology research often uses diagnostic categories.
• A dimensional, transdiagnostic approach may better capture underlying brain mechanisms.
• Integrating structural and functional brain data offers a comprehensive view.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the brain basis of psychopathology using a transdiagnostic, dimensional framework.
• To explore relationships between brain measures and biobehavioral outcomes across healthy and clinical populations.
• To understand the role of brain networks in diverse psychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

• Employed integrative structural-functional linked independent component analysis.
• Utilized gray and white matter data for brain structure.
• Incorporated resting-state and stress-induced functional brain scans in 295 participants.

Main Results:

• The executive control network (ECN) is crucial for understanding transdiagnostic symptom dimensions.
• ECN connectivity with the frontoparietal network post-stress correlates with cognitive and negative valence symptoms.
• A distinct component linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involved the default mode network, precentral gyrus, and thalamus.

Conclusions:

• A dimensional and integrative approach is vital for understanding the neurobiology of psychopathology.
• Brain network alterations, particularly involving the ECN, are central to transdiagnostic symptom dimensions.
• Specific neural components may underlie distinct disorders like ASD, impacting various functional domains.