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Functional MRI Analysis Uncovers 2 Neurophysiological Subtypes of MDD
Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, researchers have identified two neurophysiological subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD). They published their findings online in Biological Psychiatry.
“The implications of this research are far-reaching, providing valuable insights into the development of imaging-based candidate biomarkers,” said senior study author Mingrui Xia, PhD, from Beijing Normal University in China. “These biomarkers have the potential to guide future precise diagnostic and treatment strategies tailored to each patient’s specific neurophysiological subtype.”
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For the study, Dr Xia and coauthors analyzed resting-state fMRI data collected at multiple clinical sites for 1148 patients with MDD and 1079 healthy control subjects. Researchers examined functional connectivity among brain regions and mapped individual deviations in patients with MDD, compared with the predicted norm, across the lifespan. Much like pediatric growth charts, the model referenced data from a large population to quantify individual deviations.
“This approach led to the identification of 2 reproducible neurophysiological subtypes,” said Dr Xia, “exhibiting distinct deviation patterns, depressive item scores, and longitudinal treatment predictability.”
According to the study, subtype 1 was characterized by severe positive deviations, reflecting increased brain connectivity, in the default mode, limbic, and subcortical areas, as well as negative deviations in the sensorimotor and attention areas. Meanwhile, subtype 2 showed a milder and opposite deviation pattern, highlighting the diversity of depression at the neurophysiological level.
“By embracing the concept of neurophysiological subtypes, we can potentially revolutionize the field of mental health by enabling clinicians to personalize treatments based on an individual’s unique connectome characteristics,” Dr Xia said. “This approach opens up new avenues for precision medicine and holds the promise of improving therapeutic interventions for depression.”
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