Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder
ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can effectively improve depression symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD); however, its mechanism of action remains obscure. This study explored the neuralimaging mechanisms of rTMS in improving depression symptoms in pa...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-03-01
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Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.855483/full |
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author | Muzhen Guan Muzhen Guan Zhongheng Wang Yanru Shi Yuanjun Xie Zhujing Ma Zirong Liu Junchang Liu Xinyu Gao Qingrong Tan Huaning Wang |
author_facet | Muzhen Guan Muzhen Guan Zhongheng Wang Yanru Shi Yuanjun Xie Zhujing Ma Zirong Liu Junchang Liu Xinyu Gao Qingrong Tan Huaning Wang |
author_sort | Muzhen Guan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | ObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can effectively improve depression symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD); however, its mechanism of action remains obscure. This study explored the neuralimaging mechanisms of rTMS in improving depression symptoms in patients with MDD.MethodsIn this study, MDD patients with first-episode, drug-naive (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 33) were enrolled. Depression symptoms before and after rTMS treatment were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected both before and after the treatment. Changes in the brain function after the treatment were compared using the following two indices: the amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo), which are sensitive for evaluating spontaneous neuronal activity. The brain region with synchronous changes was selected as the seed point, and the differences in the causal connectivity between the seed point and whole brain before and after rTMS treatment were investigated via Granger causality analysis (GCA).ResultsBefore treatment, patients with MDD had significantly lower ALFF in the left superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.01), higher ALFF in the left middle frontal gyrus and left precuneus (p < 0.01), and lower ReHo in the left middle frontal and left middle occipital gyri (p < 0.01) than the values observed in healthy controls. After the rTMS treatment, the ALFF was significantly increased in the left superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.01) and decreased in the left middle frontal gyrus and left precuneus (p < 0.01). Furthermore, ReHo was significantly increased in the left middle frontal and left middle occipital gyri (p < 0.01) in patients with MDD. Before treatment, GCA using the left middle frontal gyrus (the brain region with synchronous changes) as the seed point revealed a weak bidirectional causal connectivity between the middle and superior frontal gyri as well as a weak causal connectivity from the inferior temporal to the middle frontal gyri. After treatment, these causal connectivities were strengthened. Moreover, the causal connectivity from the inferior temporal gyrus to the middle frontal gyri negatively correlated with the total HAMD-17 score (r = −0.443, p = 0.021).ConclusionrTMS treatment not only improves the local neural activity in the middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and precuneus but also strengthens the bidirectional causal connectivity between the middle and superior frontal gyri and the causal connectivity from the inferior temporal to the middle frontal gyri. Changes in these neuroimaging indices may represent the neural mechanisms underlying rTMS treatment in MDD.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR1800019761). |
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spelling | doaj.art-8344b8ad11f346729b3442e4f5759c6a2022-12-22T01:12:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2022-03-011610.3389/fnins.2022.855483855483Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive DisorderMuzhen Guan0Muzhen Guan1Zhongheng Wang2Yanru Shi3Yuanjun Xie4Zhujing Ma5Zirong Liu6Junchang Liu7Xinyu Gao8Qingrong Tan9Huaning Wang10Department of Mental Health, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Yulin Fifth Hospital, Yuling, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaDeptartment of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, ChinaObjectiveRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can effectively improve depression symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD); however, its mechanism of action remains obscure. This study explored the neuralimaging mechanisms of rTMS in improving depression symptoms in patients with MDD.MethodsIn this study, MDD patients with first-episode, drug-naive (n = 29) and healthy controls (n = 33) were enrolled. Depression symptoms before and after rTMS treatment were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected both before and after the treatment. Changes in the brain function after the treatment were compared using the following two indices: the amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo), which are sensitive for evaluating spontaneous neuronal activity. The brain region with synchronous changes was selected as the seed point, and the differences in the causal connectivity between the seed point and whole brain before and after rTMS treatment were investigated via Granger causality analysis (GCA).ResultsBefore treatment, patients with MDD had significantly lower ALFF in the left superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.01), higher ALFF in the left middle frontal gyrus and left precuneus (p < 0.01), and lower ReHo in the left middle frontal and left middle occipital gyri (p < 0.01) than the values observed in healthy controls. After the rTMS treatment, the ALFF was significantly increased in the left superior frontal gyrus (p < 0.01) and decreased in the left middle frontal gyrus and left precuneus (p < 0.01). Furthermore, ReHo was significantly increased in the left middle frontal and left middle occipital gyri (p < 0.01) in patients with MDD. Before treatment, GCA using the left middle frontal gyrus (the brain region with synchronous changes) as the seed point revealed a weak bidirectional causal connectivity between the middle and superior frontal gyri as well as a weak causal connectivity from the inferior temporal to the middle frontal gyri. After treatment, these causal connectivities were strengthened. Moreover, the causal connectivity from the inferior temporal gyrus to the middle frontal gyri negatively correlated with the total HAMD-17 score (r = −0.443, p = 0.021).ConclusionrTMS treatment not only improves the local neural activity in the middle frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and precuneus but also strengthens the bidirectional causal connectivity between the middle and superior frontal gyri and the causal connectivity from the inferior temporal to the middle frontal gyri. Changes in these neuroimaging indices may represent the neural mechanisms underlying rTMS treatment in MDD.Clinical Trial RegistrationThis study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR1800019761).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.855483/fullmajor depressive disorderamplitude of the low-frequency fluctuationregional homogeneityGranger causality analysis (GCA)repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation |
spellingShingle | Muzhen Guan Muzhen Guan Zhongheng Wang Yanru Shi Yuanjun Xie Zhujing Ma Zirong Liu Junchang Liu Xinyu Gao Qingrong Tan Huaning Wang Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder Frontiers in Neuroscience major depressive disorder amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation regional homogeneity Granger causality analysis (GCA) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation |
title | Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder |
title_full | Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder |
title_fullStr | Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder |
title_full_unstemmed | Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder |
title_short | Altered Brain Function and Causal Connectivity Induced by Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder |
title_sort | altered brain function and causal connectivity induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for major depressive disorder |
topic | major depressive disorder amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation regional homogeneity Granger causality analysis (GCA) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation |
url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.855483/full |
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