Altered static and dynamic functional connectivity in major depressive disorder accompanied by high anxiety: evidence
Lujun Li1, Zhijun Zeng2, Yaling Zhou1
1Chengdu Southwest Children's Rehabilitation Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Background:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, diminished interest in pleasurable activities, and anhedonia. Some patients with depression experience high levels of anxiety, complicating clinical treatment. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods:
The sample comprised 178 participants, including 73 MDD with high anxiety symptom subjects, 55 MDD with low anxiety symptom, and 50 healthy controls registered from multiple sites based on the REST-meta-MDD Project in China. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were recorded. Large-scale static and dynamic functional connectivity analyses were conducted to identify specific brain connectivity distinguishing MDD with low and high anxiety symptoms.
Results:
While MDD patients with high and low anxiety symptoms exhibit overlapping alterations in dynamic functional connectivity between the auditory cortex and nodes of the salience network, their distinct clinical profiles may be associated with differential functional connectivity patterns between the components of the default mode network (DMN) and the visual network (VN), as well as between the components of the basal ganglia network (BGN) and VN.
Conclusion:
The VN-DMN-BGN functional circuit may help elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms associated with varying levels of anxiety in depressive disorders. Understanding this neural correlation could contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for MDD.
Insights
Major depressive disorder with high anxiety shows distinct brain connectivity patterns in the visual, default mode, and basal ganglia networks. Understanding these neural circuits may aid targeted treatments for depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental health condition.
- Anxiety often co-occurs with MDD, complicating treatment.
- The neural mechanisms underlying MDD with varying anxiety levels are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct brain connectivity patterns in MDD patients with high versus low anxiety symptoms.
- To explore the role of functional brain networks in the comorbidity of depression and anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was used.
- 178 participants (MDD with high anxiety, MDD with low anxiety, healthy controls) were analyzed.
- Static and dynamic functional connectivity analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- Overlapping alterations in auditory cortex and salience network connectivity were observed.
- Distinct functional connectivity patterns were found between the default mode network (DMN), visual network (VN), and basal ganglia network (BGN).
Conclusions:
- The VN-DMN-BGN circuit may underlie varying anxiety levels in MDD.
- Identifying these neural correlations can inform targeted therapeutic strategies for depression.
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