New research reveals that functional connectivity can distinguish between various disease subtypes. Not only is major depressive disorder (MDD) one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting more than 8% of the U.S. population, but it also manifests in diverse ways among individuals.
A new study used brain imaging data from over 1,000 patients with Major Depressive Disorder and healthy controls to identify distinct neurophysiological subtypes of depression. This groundbreaking research advances the understanding of MDD’s heterogeneity and could lead to more personalized treatment approaches based on individual brain connectivity patterns.Not only is major depressive disorder one of the most prevalent mental health conditions, affecting more than 8% of the U.S.
Brain imaging maps and a functional deviation map of the two depression subtypes across brain regions. Credit: Biological Psychiatry One subtype of patients showed severe positive deviations – indicating increased brain connectivity – in the default mode network, limbic, and subcortical areas, and negative deviations in the sensorimotor and attention areas. The second subtype of patients featured a milder and opposite pattern of deviation, highlighting the heterogeneity of depression at the neurophysiological level.
Dr. Xia went on to say, “These findings shed light on the diverse neurobiological mechanisms from a connectomics perspective underlying the complex clinical heterogeneity observed in individuals with depression. The implications of this research are far-reaching, providing valuable insights into the development of imaging-based candidate biomarkers.
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