TY - JOUR
T1 - Reduced negative BOLD responses in the default-mode network and increased self-focus in depression
AU - Grimm, Simone
AU - Ernst, Jutta
AU - Boesiger, Peter
AU - Schuepbach, Daniel
AU - Boeker, Heinz
AU - Northoff, Georg
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - Objectives. Functional imaging studies in major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate abnormal resting state neural activity and negative blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses (NBRs) in regions of the default-mode network (DMN). Methods. Since activity in DMN regions has been associated with self-relatedness, we investigated neural activity in these regions during self-related emotional judgement and passive picture viewing in 25 patients with MDD and 25 healthy controls in an event-related fMRI design. Results. Behaviourally, MDD subjects showed significantly higher ratings of self-relatedness that also correlated with depression symptoms such as hopelessness. Neuroimaging results in MDD patients showed significantly lower negative BOLD responses (NBRs) in anterior medial cortical regions during judgement of self-relatedness while posterior medial regions showed increased NBRs. Unlike in healthy subjects, the anterior medial cortical NBRs were no longer parametrically modulated by the degree of self-relatedness in MDD patients. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that reduced NBRs in the anterior regions of the default-mode network may signify decoupling from self-relatedness in MDD patients with the consecutive abnormal increase of self-focus.
AB - Objectives. Functional imaging studies in major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate abnormal resting state neural activity and negative blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses (NBRs) in regions of the default-mode network (DMN). Methods. Since activity in DMN regions has been associated with self-relatedness, we investigated neural activity in these regions during self-related emotional judgement and passive picture viewing in 25 patients with MDD and 25 healthy controls in an event-related fMRI design. Results. Behaviourally, MDD subjects showed significantly higher ratings of self-relatedness that also correlated with depression symptoms such as hopelessness. Neuroimaging results in MDD patients showed significantly lower negative BOLD responses (NBRs) in anterior medial cortical regions during judgement of self-relatedness while posterior medial regions showed increased NBRs. Unlike in healthy subjects, the anterior medial cortical NBRs were no longer parametrically modulated by the degree of self-relatedness in MDD patients. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that reduced NBRs in the anterior regions of the default-mode network may signify decoupling from self-relatedness in MDD patients with the consecutive abnormal increase of self-focus.
KW - Default-mode network
KW - Event-related fMRI
KW - Major depression
KW - Negative BOLD responses
KW - Self-related processing
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U2 - 10.3109/15622975.2010.545145
DO - 10.3109/15622975.2010.545145
M3 - Article
C2 - 21247256
AN - SCOPUS:79960224304
VL - 12
SP - 627
EP - 637
JO - World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
JF - World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
SN - 1562-2975
IS - 8
ER -