Distinct brain functional networks are associated with state- and trait-depression

Poster No:

531 

Submission Type:

Abstract Submission 

Authors:

Wei Zhang1, Rosie Dutt2, Daphne Lew1, Deanna Barch1, Janine Bijsterbosch1

Institutions:

1Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 2Washington University in St. Louis; University of Chicago, Saint Louis, MO; Chicago, IL

First Author:

Wei Zhang  
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Co-Author(s):

Rosie Dutt  
Washington University in St. Louis; University of Chicago
Saint Louis, MO; Chicago, IL
Daphne Lew  
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
Deanna Barch, PhD  
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO
Janine Bijsterbosch  
Washington University in St. Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Introduction:

Depression is a significant contributor to global disability, affecting over 300 million people worldwide1. Despite its broad recognition as a disorder involving large-scale brain networks, the foundational brain mechanisms remain elusive. Although some evidence points to altered connectivity patterns within major brain networks, prior findings often display inconsistency2,3 or lack replication4, offering, at best, a partial explanation for a limited proportion of the observed variance5. This inconsistency presents an enduring challenge in comprehensively understanding the etiology of depression. One potential contributing factor to this challenge may be the conflation of state (current symptoms; variable) and trait (general propensity; stable) depression. Addressing this issue, this study aims to disentangle state and trait depression, seeking to identify potentially dissociable resting-state correlates for these interconnected yet distinct constructs.

Methods:

We analyzed longitudinal data from the UK Biobank, using the resting-state fMRI data (scan1 and follow-up scan2), and depression assessments with Recent Depressive Scale (RDS)6 at baseline, scan1 and scan2. We differentiated trait from state depression, defining "trait" as individuals in remission (i.e., RDSscan1≤5) with a prior history (i.e., RDSbaseline≥7), and "state" as significant longitudinal fluctuation between two scans (i.e., RDS|scan2-scan1|≥3). We identified N=311 and N=265 participants for state and trait groups, respectively, and selected the same number of control participants with minimal RDS across all time points (RDSbaseline≤5 & RDSscan1≤5 & RDSscan2≤5) and matched on covariates (i.e., sex, age, head motion, scanning site and alcohol intake frequency), using optimal pair matching.
The resting-state data were decomposed into a set of 15 modes (i.e., resting-state networks), using Probabilistic Functional Modes (PROFUMO)7. Each mode is described by a spatial map (from which the spatial overlap was estimated as the correlation between each pair of mode spatial maps8), network matrix (i.e., connectivity matrix - estimated as the partial correlation between mode time-courses), and mode amplitude (indicative of overall BOLD signal fluctuations). We obtained these PROFUMO outputs separately per scan per participant.
After removing 2 spurious modes, we conducted two separate linear regression models to estimate group differences (i.e., state vs. control, trait vs. control; Fig 1A) in all PROFUMO outputs while accounting for covariates. We also repeated statistical analyses for two subgroups with stricter definitions of "state" (i.e., adding RDSbaseline≤5; N=148) and "trait" (adding PHQonline≥5; N=193) to replicate our findings. False Discover Rate (FDR) was applied to account for multiple testing within each class of PROFUMO output.
Supporting Image: Figure1.png
   ·Figure 1. Model equations and PROFUMO modes
 

Results:

After FDR corrections, we found no significant differences in network matrix (i.e., temporal coupling between modes) or spatial overlap matrix (i.e., similarity of spatial maps between modes) between state and control groups, nor between trait and control groups. However, we observed significantly smaller magnitude of changes in amplitude of the primary and sensorimotor cortices in individuals with state depression in contrast to controls (β=-0.02, pFDR=0.036), and significantly higher amplitude in the primary visual cortex in individuals with trait depression in contrast to controls (β=0.04, pFDR=0.02). These results replicated in subgroups with stricter definitions of state/trait (p's<0.03).
Supporting Image: Figure2.png
   ·Figure 2. Group differences in PROFUMO ampiltude
 

Conclusions:

Our findings show that both state and trait depression are associated with abnormal amplitudes of large-scale resting-state networks. Although the motor areas and visual cortex have been consistently implicated in depression symptoms9,10, our data suggest that these brain circuits may play different roles in differentiating state vs. trait depression experiences.

Disorders of the Nervous System:

Psychiatric (eg. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia) 1

Modeling and Analysis Methods:

Bayesian Modeling
fMRI Connectivity and Network Modeling 2
Task-Independent and Resting-State Analysis

Novel Imaging Acquisition Methods:

BOLD fMRI

Keywords:

Affective Disorders
FUNCTIONAL MRI
MRI
Other - trait depression, state depression, PROFUMO

1|2Indicates the priority used for review

Provide references using author date format

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