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Motor circuits and beyond: Functional connectivity related to psychomotor syndromes in depression
Qunjun Liang1,2, Zhifeng Zhou3, Ying Li4
1Department of Medical Imaging, Shenzhen Nanshan People's Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China.
Background:
Psychomotor disturbance (PmD) is prevalent in major depressive disorder (MDD), with neural substrates implicated in disrupted motor circuits and the interaction to non-motor cortex. Our objective is to explore the functional connectivity pattern underlying PmD using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Methods:
A total of 150 patients with MDD and 91 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. The patients were categorized into psychomotor (pMDD, n = 107) and non-psychomotor (npMDD, n = 43) groups based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Seed-based connectivity (SBC) analysis was conducted using predefined somatomotor and cerebellar network (SMN and CN) coordinates as seeds, to assess group differences and symptom correlations. Subsequently, we correlated the group-contrast SBC map with existing neurotransmitter maps to explore the neurochemical basis.
Results:
In pMDD patients compared to HC, we observed decreased connectivity, especially between the SMN and frontal cortex, within the bilateral SMN, and between the CN and right precentral cortex. Meanwhile, connectivity increased between the SMN and the middle cingulate cortex and between the CN and left precentral cortex in pMDD relative to npMDD and HC. Connectivity between the SMN and angular gyrus was positively correlated with the severity of PmD. Additionally, the aberrant SBC patterns in pMDD were linked to the distribution of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.
Conclusions:
This study provides insights into the aberrant connectivity within the motor circuits and its interactions with non-motor regions in PmD. It also suggests a potential role for dopaminergic dysregulation in the connectivity abnormalities associated with PmD.
Insights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychomotor disturbance (PmD) shows altered brain connectivity, particularly in motor circuits. Dopamine receptor distribution may underlie these functional connectivity abnormalities in MDD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Psychomotor disturbance (PmD) is a common symptom in major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Neural substrates of PmD involve disrupted motor circuits and their interaction with non-motor cortical areas.
- Understanding the functional connectivity patterns in PmD is crucial for elucidating its neurobiological underpinnings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional connectivity patterns associated with psychomotor disturbance (PmD) in major depressive disorder (MDD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- To explore the neurochemical basis of these connectivity abnormalities by correlating findings with neurotransmitter distribution.
Main Methods:
- fMRI was used to compare functional connectivity in 150 MDD patients (categorized into psychomotor [pMDD] and non-psychomotor [npMDD] groups) and 91 healthy controls (HCs).
- Seed-based connectivity (SBC) analysis focused on somatomotor and cerebellar networks (SMN and CN).
- Group-contrast SBC maps were correlated with neurotransmitter distribution maps.
Main Results:
- pMDD patients exhibited decreased connectivity between the SMN and frontal cortex, within the SMN, and between the CN and right precentral cortex compared to HCs.
- Increased connectivity was observed between the SMN and middle cingulate cortex, and between the CN and left precentral cortex in pMDD relative to npMDD and HCs.
- Aberrant SBC patterns in pMDD were linked to dopamine D1 and D2 receptor distribution and positively correlated with PmD severity.
Conclusions:
- This study reveals aberrant functional connectivity within motor circuits and their interaction with non-motor regions in patients with PmD.
- The findings suggest a significant role for dopaminergic dysregulation in the connectivity abnormalities observed in PmD.
- These insights contribute to understanding the neurobiological basis of psychomotor disturbances in depression.
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