Mapping intrinsic functional network topological architecture in major depression disorder after electroconvulsive therapy

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 311; pp. 103 - 109
• Main Authors: Li, Yuanyuan, Li, Yue, Wei, Qiang, Bai, Tongjian, Wang, Kai, Wang, Jiaojian, Tian, Yanghua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.08.2022
• Subjects: Brain network; Brainnetome atlas; Electroconvulsive therapy; Graph theory; Major depressive disorder; Psychiatric/Mental Health; Graph theory; Electroconvulsive therapy; Brainnetome atlas; Brain network; Major depressive disorder
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.05.067

Disrupted topological organization of functional brain networks has been well documented in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there is no report about how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a rapid way for depression remission, affects whole-brain functional network topological architecture to improve clinical symptoms in individuals with MDD. In this study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected for twenty-four MDD patients before and after receiving ECT and 25 gender-, age- and education-matched healthy controls (HC). The functional brain network for each subject was mapped using Brainnetome Atlas and graph-theory was applied to measure topological properties for both binary and weighted network. The results showed that ECT can significantly increase shortest path length and decrease global efficiency in MDD patients. In addition, significant alterations in nodal degree, nodal efficiency as well as between nodal functional connectivity strength were found in MDD patients after ECT. The network nodes showing changed degree, efficiency and connectivity were primarily distributed in default mode network (DMN), fronto-parietal network (FPN), and limbic system. Our findings demonstrates that ECT improves depressive symptoms by reorganizing disrupted network topological architecture in MDD patients and highlights the important role of functional reorganization of DMN, FPN, and limbic network contributing to depression remission. •Graph-theory was applied to study topology in MDD before and after ECT.•Increased shortest path length and decreased global efficiency in MDD after ECT.•ECT modulated nodal degree, nodal efficiency as well as between nodal functional connectivity strength in MDD.•Default mode network, fronto-parietal network, and limbic system are important for ECT response.