Transdiagnostic functional neuroimaging connectivity features in depression and anxiety in adolescence: A systematic...

Previous research has indicated that individuals with depression and anxiety disorders may similarly changes in brain connectivity compared to healthy control. These patterns of altered connectivity may emerge upon disorder onset in adolescence. Establishing shared and specific patterns at this early stage can help investigate underlying biological processes, with implications for intervention, but remaining unclear whether adolescent MDD and AD are associated with similar or distinct functional connectivity patterns.

To determine similarities and differences in brain connectivity neuroimaging between adolescent MDD and AD.

Eligibility criteria were established following PICOS. We conducted searches using controlled vocabulary and searching syntax on PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases, up to January 31, 2024. The quality of papers was assessed using PRISMA.

5137 papers were retrieved, with 38 meeting the inclusion criteria. In the synthesis of results, it was found that adolescent MDD patients exhibit increased connectivity within default mode network (DMN), especially in areas posterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex; and salience network (SN) including anterior cingulate cortex and insula. Adolescent AD patients show hyperconnectivity and dysregulated activity in DMN, enhanced connectivity within SN including amygdala. MDD and AD both show involvement of limbic system including amygdala and hippocampus.

Results suggest both adolescent MDD and AD exhibit alterations in connectivity of SN; disrupted connectivity within DMN; dysregulation in connectivity between limbic and sensorimotor system. They also differentiate in certain connectivity patterns. These could serve as biomarkers for future research on transdiagnostic features across psychiatric disorders.