Somatic symptoms mediate the association between subclinical anxiety and depressive symptoms and its neuroimaging mechanisms

Kong, Zhifei; Zhu, Xianyang; Chang, Suhua; Bao, Yanping; Ma, Yundong; Yu, Wenwen; Zhu, Ran; Sun, Qiqing; Sun, Wei; Deng, Jiahui; Sun, Hongqiang

doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04488-9

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Somatic symptoms include a range of physical symptoms such as pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Somatic symptoms are distinct from but related to anxiety and depressive symptoms (Kong et al, 2022). Robust correlations between spinocerebellar segments of the cerebello-VTA tract and somatic complaints emerged.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anin vivoDissection, and Analysis of Socio-Affective Symptoms related to Cerebellum-Midbrain Reward Circuitry in Humans

Hoffman,

Foley,

Leong

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Emerging research in non-human animals implicates cerebellar projections to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in reward driven behaviors, but the circuits have not been characterized in humans. In this study we mapped the cerebello-VTA structural connectivity in humans. We visualized and measured the structural connections by performing probabilistic tractography on diffusion weighted imaging data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). We uncovered the topographical organization of the connections by separately tracking from parcels of cerebellar lobule VI, crus I/II, vermis, paravermis, and cerebrocerebellum. The results revealed that afferents from the cerebellum to the VTA predominantly originate in the right hemisphere interposed nucleus and paravermis, and terminate mostly in ipsilateral VTA. The paravermis of the crus I cerebellar lobule sends the most connections to the VTA compared to the other lobules. Finally, we discovered a medial-to-lateral gradient of connectivity, such that medial cerebellum has the highest connectivity with the VTA, and connectivity decreases laterally. Taken together, we produced detailed maps of cerebello-VTA structural connectivity for the first time in humans. These maps provide critical foundation for future studies to investigate cerebellar involvement in social, affective, and reward-driven behaviors, as well as clinical manifestations at the extremes of those behaviors.Key PointsIn humans, all cerebellar deep nuclei send projections to the VTA, which is similar to the connectivity profile found in non-human animals. The paravermis of Crus I contributes the most connections of the neocerebellum, and the interposed nucleus contributes the most connections among the deep nuclei.There is a medial-to-lateral gradient of connectivity, such that more lateral segments of the cerebellum send fewer connections to the VTA.These findings have implications for understanding normal and dysfunctional motivated behavior.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anin vivoDissection, and Analysis of Socio-Affective Symptoms related to Cerebellum-Midbrain Reward Circuitry in Humans

Hoffman,

Foley,

Leong

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…The postcentral gyrus is important in the sensorimotor system ( 26 ) and crucial in emotional processing in patients with MDD ( 27 ), bipolar disorder ( 28 ), and anxiety ( 29 ). Luo et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain alterations in adolescents with first-episode depression who have experienced adverse events: evidence from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

Xia,

Tang,

Peng

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionAdverse life events constitute primary risk factors for major depressive disorder (MDD), influencing brain function and structure. Adolescents, with their brains undergoing continuous development, are particularly susceptible to enduring impacts of adverse events.MethodsWe investigated differences and correlations among childhood trauma, negative life events, and alterations of brain function in adolescents with first-episode MDD. The study included 23 patients with MDD and 19 healthy controls, aged 10–19 years. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and were assessed using the beck depression inventory, childhood trauma questionnaire, and adolescent self-rating life events checklist.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, participants with first-episode MDD were more likely to have experienced emotional abuse, physical neglect, interpersonal relationship problems, and learning stress (all p’ < 0.05). These adverse life events were significantly correlated with alterations in brain functions (all p < 0.05).DiscussionThis study contributes novel evidence on the underlying process between adverse life events, brain function, and depression, emphasizing the significant neurophysiological impact of environmental factors.

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“…Functional abnormalities in this region among anxiety sufferers are well-documented and are believed to contribute to their physical symptoms. Moreover, the dysfunction of the posterior central gyrus may facilitate the progression from anxiety to depression ( 56 ), underscoring its role beyond mere somatosensory functions to include emotional regulation. Indeed, previous cases of posterior central gyrus injury have exhibited emotional regulation impairments, likely due to its neural connections with the amygdala and insula ( 57 ), although the exact mechanisms remain to be clarified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The brain in chronic insomnia and anxiety disorder: a combined structural and functional fMRI study

Xu,

Li,

Wang

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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BackgroundChronic insomnia disorder (CID) is usually associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), which may change brain structure and function. However, the possible brain markers, imaging characteristics, and pathophysiology are unknown.ObjectiveTo look at the probable brain markers, imaging characteristics, and pathogenesis of CID in combination with GAD.MethodsA total of 57 patients with CID concomitant GAD and 57 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and functional connectivity (FC) were utilized to measure gray matter volume (GMV) and functional changes. Correlation analysis was utilized to identify relationships between brain changes and clinical characteristics.ResultsPatients had decreased GMV in the left cerebellum, right cerebellar peduncle, and left insula; increased FC between the left cerebellum and right angular gyrus, as well as between the left insula and anterior left cingulate gyrus; and decreased FC in several areas, including the left cerebellum with the middle left cingulate gyrus and the left insula with the left superior postcentral gyrus. These brain changes related to CID and GAD. These data could be used to identify relevant brain markers, imaging features, and to better understand the etiology.ConclusionThe intensity of insomnia in patients was strongly related to the severity of anxiety. The lower GMV in the cerebellum could be interpreted as an imaging characteristic of CID. Reduced GMV in the insula, as well as aberrant function in the cingulate gyrus and prefrontal lobe, may contribute to the pathophysiology of CID and GAD. Abnormal function in the postcentral gyrus and angular gyrus may be associated with patients’ clinical complaints.

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Somatic symptoms mediate the association between subclinical anxiety and depressive symptoms and its neuroimaging mechanisms

Cited by 7 publications

References 81 publications

Anin vivoDissection, and Analysis of Socio-Affective Symptoms related to Cerebellum-Midbrain Reward Circuitry in Humans

Anin vivoDissection, and Analysis of Socio-Affective Symptoms related to Cerebellum-Midbrain Reward Circuitry in Humans

Brain alterations in adolescents with first-episode depression who have experienced adverse events: evidence from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging

The brain in chronic insomnia and anxiety disorder: a combined structural and functional fMRI study

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