AUTHOR=Hou Xiaofang , Mei Bohui , Wang Fukun , Guo Hua , Li Shilong , Wu Gang , Zang Chen , Cao Bing TITLE=Neural activity in adults with major depressive disorder differs from that in healthy individuals: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1028518 DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1028518 ISSN=1664-0640 ABSTRACT=Objective

Currently, findings regarding resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) are inconsistent. In contrast to the previously used a priori seed-based functional connectivity analyses, this study employed whole-brain exploratory analyses and aimed to explore neural activity patterns in Chinese adults with MDD.

Materials and methods

Specifically, this study examined the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations within the whole brain and adopted a large-scale brain network template to explore the core dysfunctional brain regions in individuals with MDD.

Results

Overall, 32 individuals with MDD and 32 healthy controls were evaluated. Compared to healthy controls, individuals with MDD showed more profound alterations in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in the temporolimbic affective circuit (e.g., middle temporal gyrus and parahippocampus) and default mode network (e.g., precuneus and thalamus). Moreover, functional connectivity between the left mid-insula and parietal regions within the sensorimotor network was weaker in individuals with MDD than in healthy controls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the neural characteristics of MDD correspond to cognitive deficits in self-referential processing and emotional processing and are related to a risk of sensory disorders or psychomotor retardation. These findings present neural markers that may be used to identify MDD, contributing to clinical diagnosis.