Decreased Connectivity in Precuneus of the Ventral Attentional Network in First-Episode, Treatment-Naïve Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Network Homogeneity and Independent Component Analysis

Abstract

Background and ObjectiveThe ventral attentional network (VAN) can provide quantitative information on cognitive problems in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Nevertheless, little is known about network homogeneity (NH) changes in the VAN of these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the NH values in the VAN by independent component analysis (ICA) and compare the NH values between MDD patients and the normal controls (NCs).MethodsAttentional network test and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected from 73 patients, and 70 NCs matched by gender, age, and education years. ICA and NH were employed to evaluate the data. Moreover, the NH values were compared, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to assess the correlations with the executive control reaction time (ECRT).ResultsOur results showed that the first-episode, treatment-naive MDD patients had decreased NH in the right precuneus (PCu) and abnormal ECRT compared with NCs. However, no significant correlation was found between the NH values and measured clinical variables.ConclusionOur results highlight the potential importance of VAN in the pathophysiology of cognitive problems in MDD, thus offering new directions for future research on MDD.

Transcutaneous Electrical Cranial-Auricular Acupoint Stimulation Modulating the Brain Functional Connectivity of Mild-to-Moderate Major Depressive Disorder: An fMRI Study Based on Independent Component Analysis

“…Additionally, altered DMN connectivity in patients with depression may be related to impaired internal monitoring and emotional regulation ability [16]. Furthermore, abnormalities have been seen in resting-state networks such as the central executive network (CEN), SN, frontoparietal network (FPN), ventral attention network (VAN), visual network (VN), and auditory network (AN), shown using ICA in depressed patients [7,8,17,18]. ICA also provides a way to learn about the treatment mechanism for psychiatric illness.…”