BackgroundStudies on differences in brain function activity between the first depressive episode (FDE) and recurrent depressive episodes (RDE) are scarce. In this study, we used regional homogeneity (ReHo) and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) as indices of abnormal brain function activity. We aimed to determine the differences in these indices between patients with FDE and those with RDE, and to investigate the correlation between areas of abnormal brain function and clinical symptoms.MethodsA total of 29 patients with RDE, 28 patients with FDE, and 29 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were included in this study. The ReHo and ALFF measurements were used for image analysis and further analysis of the correlation between different brain regions and clinical symptoms.ResultsAnalysis of variance showed significant differences among the three groups in ReHo and ALFF in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. ReHo was higher in the right inferior frontal triangular gyrus and lower in the left inferior temporal gyrus in the RDE group than in the FDE group. Meanwhile, ALFF was higher in the right inferior frontal triangular gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, orbital part of the left middle frontal gyrus, orbital part of the left superior frontal gyrus, and right angular gyrus, but was lower in the right lingual gyrus in the RDE group than in the FDE group. ReHo and ALFF were lower in the left angular gyrus in the RDE and FDE groups than in the HC group. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the ReHo and ALFF values in these abnormal areas in the frontal lobe and the severity of depressive symptoms (P < 0.05). Abnormal areas in the temporal and occipital lobes were negatively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe RDE and FDE groups had abnormal neural function activity in some of the same brain regions. ReHo and ALFF were more widely distributed in different brain regions and had more complex neuropathological mechanisms in the RDE group than in the FDE group, especially in the right inferior frontal triangular gyrus of the frontal lobe.
BackgroundFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies examining differences in the activity of brain networks between the first depressive episode (FDE) and recurrent depressive episode (RDE) are limited. The current study observed and compared the altered functional connectivity (FC) characteristics in the default mode network (DMN), cognitive control network (CCN), and affective network (AN) between the RDE and FDE. In addition, we further investigated the correlation between abnormal FC and clinical symptoms.MethodsWe recruited 32 patients with the RDE, 31 patients with the FDE, and 30 healthy controls (HCs). All subjects underwent resting-state fMRI. The seed-based FC method was used to analyze the abnormal brain networks in the DMN, CCN, and AN among the three groups and further explore the correlation between abnormal FC and clinical symptoms.ResultsOne-way analysis of variance showed significant differences the FC in the DMN, CCN, and AN among the three groups in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and precuneus lobes and cerebellum. Compared with the RDE group, the FDE group generally showed reduced FC in the DMN, CCN, and AN. Compared with the HC group, the FDE group showed reduced FC in the DMN, CCN, and AN, while the RDE group showed reduced FC only in the DMN and AN. Moreover, the FC in the left posterior cingulate cortices and the right inferior temporal gyrus in the RDE group were positively correlated with the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), and the FC in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices and the right precuneus in the FDE group were negatively correlated with the HAMD-17.ConclusionsThe RDE and FDE groups showed multiple abnormal brain networks. However, the alterations of abnormal FC were more extensive and intensive in the FDE group.
BackgroundPrevious studies found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) was clinically effective in treating a case of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, the brain neural mechanisms underlying the immediate effects of taVNS treatment for TRD have not been elucidated.Materials and MethodsDifferences in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) between TRD and healthy control (HC) groups were observed. The TRD group was treated with taVNS for 30 min, and changes in ALFF in the TRD group before and after immediate treatment were observed. The ALFF brain regions altered by taVNS induction were used as regions of interest to analyze whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) changes in the TRD group.ResultsA total of 44 TRD patients and 44 HCs completed the study and were included in the data analysis. Compared with the HC group, the TRD group had increased ALFF in the left orbital area of the middle frontal gyrus. After taVNS treatment, ALFF in the left orbital area of the middle frontal gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus decreased in the TRD group, while ALFF in the right orbital area of the superior frontal gyrus increased. The FC in the left orbital area of the middle frontal gyrus with left middle frontal gyrus and the right inferior occipital gyrus was significantly increased.ConclusionTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation demonstrates immediate modulation of functional activity in the emotional network, cognitive control network, and visual processing cortex, and may be a potential brain imaging biomarker for the treatment of TRD.
IntroductionAcupuncture is safe and effective for improving the motor function of poststroke hemiplegic patients, but there still exists a certain gap between clinical practice and understanding its neural mechanisms. The cerebral functional reconstruction after unilateral motor pathway injury exhibits a bilateral tendency, however current studies seldom pay attention to it. Hence, based on cerebral bilateral connections, the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation remains an area for further research. The results of this study will increase our understanding of acupuncture-induced motor recovery in patients who had suffered a stroke and demonstrate the differences in brain response and clinical assessments.Methods and analysisThis is a single-centre, randomised controlled, paralleled neuroimaging trial, with patients and outcome assessors blinded. Thirty patients who had a stroke with motor dysfunction meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either 10 sessions true or sham acupoints treatments (five sessions per week for 2 weeks). All the participants will receive conventional standard medical care and rehabilitation. Motor function assessments and neuroimaging scanning will be conducted before and after the entire acupuncture treatment. The clinical and neuroimaging data will be analysed, respectively. The voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity will be the primary outcome and the primary effect indicator. The secondary outcomes comprise clinical evaluations and neuroimaging assessments, which include Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, fractional anisotropy and gray matter volume. The Needle Sensation Assessment Scale is an additional outcome. The correlation analysis will be explored between the neuroimaging indicators, clinical motor assessments and needle sensation.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol has been approved by the ethics committee of Dongzhimen Hospital affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (DZMEC-KY-2018-04). The results of the neuroimaging trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conferences.Trial registration numberChinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR 1800016263).
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