Religious and spiritual importance moderate relation between default mode network connectivity and familial risk for depression

Abstract

Individuals at high risk for depression have increased default mode network (DMN) connectivity, as well as reduced inverse connectivity between the DMN and the central executive network (CEN) (Posner et al., 2015). Other studies have indicated that the belief in the importance of religion/spirituality (R/S) is protective against depression in high risk individuals (Miller et al., 2012). Given these findings, we hypothesized that R/S importance would moderate DMN connectivity, potentially reducing DMN connectivity or increasing DMN-CEN inverse connectivity in individuals at high risk for depression. Using resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) in a sample of 104 individuals (aged 11 – 60) at high and low risk for familial depression, we previously reported increased DMN connectivity and reduced DMN-CEN inverse connectivity in high risk individuals. Here, we found that this effect was moderated by self-report measures of R/S importance. Greater R/S importance in the high risk group was associated with decreased DMN connectivity. These results may represent a protective neural adaptation in the DMN of individuals at high risk for depression, and may have implications for other meditation-based therapies for depression.

Association of posterior EEG alpha with prioritization of religion or spirituality: A replication and extension at 20-year follow-up

“…Miller et al, 1997, 2012). It has also proven to be able to distinguish groups that differ in brain structure (Miller et al, 2013), function (Peterson et al 2014; Svob et al, 2016), and EEG (Tenke et al, 2013). The present report affirms the original EEG findings using stronger measures, and unambiguously characterizes posterior EEG alpha as the biomarker identified by R/S importance.…”

A diffusion tensor imaging study of brain microstructural changes related to religion and spirituality in families at high risk for depression

“…In subsequent studies on the same participants, we found increased default mode network (DMN) connectivity (Posner et al, ), and greater EEG alpha among individuals at high (compared to low) familial risk for depression (Tenke et al, ). However, within the subgroup of individuals at high risk for depression, those reporting that R/S was highly important to them had reduced DMN connectivity (Svob, Wang, Weissman, Wickramaratne, & Posner, ) and greater EEG alpha (Tenke et al, ). In other words, brain differences associated with importance of R/S beliefs were the opposite of those associated with disease risk, suggesting that R/S may provide a compensatory mechanism or buffering effect.…”

Predictors of depressive symptoms among psychiatric nurses who suffered from workplace violence

“…Some studies documented that women and divorced individuals were much more likely to have depressive symptoms (Akhtar-Danesh & Landeen, 2007). In addition, education and religious belief were regarded as a protective effect against anxiety and depression (Bjelland et al, 2008;Svob, Wang, Weissman, Wickramaratne, & Posner, 2016).…”