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Multicenter Study
. 2024 Apr 5;14(1):179.
doi: 10.1038/s41398-024-02891-2.

Low Functional network integrity in cognitively unimpaired and MCI subjects with depressive symptoms: results from a multi-center fMRI study

Gabor Csukly  1   2 , László Tombor  3 , Zoltan Hidasi  3 , Eva Csibri  3 , Máté Fullajtár  3 , Zsolt Huszár  3 , Vanda Koszovácz  3 , Orsolya Lányi  3 , Edit Vass  3 , Boróka Koleszár  3 , István Kóbor  4 , Katalin Farkas  5 , Viktoria Rosenfeld  5 , Dalida Borbála Berente  5 , Gergo Bolla  5   6 , Mate Kiss  7 , Anita Kamondi  5   8 , Andras Attila Horvath  5   9
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Low Functional network integrity in cognitively unimpaired and MCI subjects with depressive symptoms: results from a multi-center fMRI study

Gabor Csukly et al. Transl Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Evidence suggests that depressive symptomatology is a consequence of network dysfunction rather than lesion pathology. We studied whole-brain functional connectivity using a Minimum Spanning Tree as a graph-theoretical approach. Furthermore, we examined functional connectivity in the Default Mode Network, the Frontolimbic Network (FLN), the Salience Network, and the Cognitive Control Network. All 183 elderly subjects underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation and a 3 Tesla brain MRI scan. To assess the potential presence of depressive symptoms, the 13-item version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was utilized. Participants were assigned into three groups based on their cognitive status: amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), non-amnestic MCI, and healthy controls. Regarding affective symptoms, subjects were categorized into depressed and non-depressed groups. An increased mean eccentricity and network diameter were found in patients with depressive symptoms relative to non-depressed ones, and both measures showed correlations with depressive symptom severity. In patients with depressive symptoms, a functional hypoconnectivity was detected between the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) and the right amygdala in the FLN, which impairment correlated with depressive symptom severity. While no structural difference was found in subjects with depressive symptoms, the volume of the hippocampus and the thickness of the precuneus and the entorhinal cortex were decreased in subjects with MCI, especially in amnestic MCI. The increase in eccentricity and diameter indicates a more path-like functional network configuration that may lead to an impaired functional integration in depression, a possible cause of depressive symptomatology in the elderly.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Illustrated are schematic depictions of three different types of minimum spanning trees (MSTs).
These MST structures can vary, ranging from a tree resembling a linear path (indicating minimal integration within the network) to a star-like shape (indicating maximal integration within the network). In these representations, nodes in blue signify leaf nodes, essentially the endpoints of the graph, while nodes in yellow represent central nodes. The hierarchical tree design combines a relatively small diameter with a comparatively low betweenness centrality (BCmax) value. This combination prevents excessive information congestion at the central node, making it an ideal configuration for efficient network operation. [75]. The Figure was adjusted from van Dellen et al. [76], van Lutterveld et al. [77], and Fodor et al. [43].
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Mean Eccentricity in the Minimum Spanning Tree network and depressive symptoms.
A Mean Eccentricity in the study groups. non-DEP: subjects without depressive symptoms; DEP: subjects showing depressive symptoms; aMCI = amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; naMCI: non-amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. The display includes a box spanning the Q1-Q3 inter-quartile range, with a line drawn at the median value. A black diamond marks the mean value. B A grand average version of the Minimum Spanning Tree networks in subjects with (DEP) and without depressive symptoms (Non-Dep). Connections present in at least 10% of the subjects are drawn for clarity [78]. C Correlation between Mean Eccentricity and depressive symptom severity in terms of z-scores (all subjects).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Functional connectivity in the Frontolimbic network.
A Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) to right Amygdala functional connectivity in the Forntolimbic network. DEP: subjects showing depressive symptoms; non-DEP: subjects without depressive symptoms; aMCI = amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; naMCI: non-amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; Non-MCI: subjects without MCI. The display includes a box spanning the Q1–Q3 inter-quartile range, with a line drawn at the median value. A black diamond marks the mean value. B A schematic image depicting the Frontolimbic network consisting of seven hubs: the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, the left and right Orbitofrontal Cortex, the left and right Amygdale, and the left and right nuclei Accumbens.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Structural differences between controls and MCI subgroups.
A Thickness of the precuneus (mm) aMCI = amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; naMCI: non-amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; Control: subjects without MCI. The display includes a box spanning the Q1-Q3 inter-quartile range, with a line drawn at the median value. A black diamond marks the mean value. B Volume of the hippocampus (mm3) aMCI = amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; naMCI: non-amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment; Control: subjects without MCI. The display includes a box spanning the Q1-Q3 inter-quartile range, with a line drawn at the median value. A black diamond marks the mean value.
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