Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
[Where Does Repetitive Negative Thinking in Depression Originate? From Right Thalamo-Cortical Circuits to
1Laureate Institute for Brain Research.
Brain and Nerve = Shinkei Kenkyu No Shinpo
|July 8, 2026
Summary
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) in major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to altered brain connectivity. Non-invasive ultrasound targeting brain circuits showed potential for future personalized treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a key symptom in major depressive disorder (MDD), predicting poor outcomes.
- RNT is associated with abnormal functional connectivity within thalamo-cortical brain circuits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the thalamo-cortical circuits implicated in RNT.
- To explore low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) as a non-invasive neuromodulation tool for RNT in MDD.
Main Methods:
- Review of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies on RNT and thalamo-cortical connectivity.
- Discussion of LIFU targeting the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC).
Main Results:
- RNT intensity correlates with hyperconnectivity between right thalamic nuclei and prefrontal, default mode, and language networks.
- LIFU targeting ALIC reduced thalamo-cortical functional connectivity.
- Acute LIFU improved positive affect and autonomic balance, but not state-RNT.
Conclusions:
- LIFU shows promise for non-invasive brain circuit probing in MDD.
- Further research is needed to optimize LIFU for treating RNT in MDD.
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