Abstract
BackgroundDefault mode network (DMN) is one of the most commonly recognized resting-state networks in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the homogeneity of this network in MDD is poorly understood. As such, this study was conducted to determine whether or not an abnormal network homogeneity (NH) of DMN is observed in patients with first-episode and drug-naive MDD.MethodsTwenty-four first-episode drug-naive patients with MDD and twenty-four healthy control subjects participated in the study. NH and independent component analysis (ICA) methods were used to analyze data.ResultsDepressed patients exhibited a significantly increased NH in the left dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and decreased NH in the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) compared with the healthy control subjects. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were analyzed and results revealed that the NH values of MPFC and ITG could be applied as candidate markers with relatively high sensitivity and specificity to distinguish patients from healthy control subjects. No correlation was observed between the NH values of the two regions and clinical variables.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that an abnormal DMN homogeneity could be observed in MDD, which highlight the importance of the DMN in the pathophysiology of MDD.
Highlights
As a common psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by persistent and pervasive feelings of sadness, guilt, and worthlessness [1]
Default mode network (DMN) comprises a specific set of brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (PCC/PCu), medial parietal cortex, lateral parietal cortex, and inferior parietal cortex; these regions routinely show decreased activities during task-related cognitive processes [7]
DMN Maps Determined by Independent component analysis (ICA) Using a group ICA approach, we selected DMN from the control subjects
Summary
As a common psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by persistent and pervasive feelings of sadness, guilt, and worthlessness [1]. Default-mode network (DMN) is involved in self-referential activities [3], such as mental time travel, perspective taking, and mind theory [4,5]. Independent component analysis (ICA) and region-of-interest (ROI) seed-based correlation approaches are the most commonly employed approaches to assess resting-state brain networks. Further studies have focused on other analytical methods, such as whole brain partial correlation methodology in MDD [9]. Default mode network (DMN) is one of the most commonly recognized resting-state networks in major depressive disorder (MDD). The homogeneity of this network in MDD is poorly understood. This study was conducted to determine whether or not an abnormal network homogeneity (NH) of DMN is observed in patients with firstepisode and drug-naive MDD
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