Neural signatures of emotional biases predict clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression

Fennema, D; Barker, GJ; O'Daly, O; Godlewska, BR; Carr, E; Goldsmith, K; Young, AH; Moll, J; Zahn, R

Journal article

Neural signatures of emotional biases predict clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression

Abstract:: BackgroundNeural predictors underlying variability in depression outcomes are poorly understood. Functional MRI measures of subgenual cortex connectivity, self-blaming and negative perceptual biases have shown prognostic potential in treatment-naïve, medication-free and fully remitting forms of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, their role in more chronic, difficult-to-treat forms of MDD is unknown.MethodsForty-five participants (n = 38 meeting minimum data quality thresholds) fulfilled criteria for difficult-to-treat MDD. Clinical outcome was determined by computing percentage change at follow-up from baseline (four months) on the self-reported Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (16-item). Baseline measures included self-blame-selective connectivity of the right superior anterior temporal lobe with an a priori Brodmann Area 25 region-of-interest, blood-oxygen-level-dependent a priori bilateral amygdala activation for subliminal sad vs happy faces, and resting-state connectivity of the subgenual cortex with an a priori defined ventrolateral prefrontal cortex/insula region-of-interest.FindingsA linear regression model showed that baseline severity of depressive symptoms explained 3% of the variance in outcomes at follow-up (F[3,34] = .33, p = .81). In contrast, our three pre-registered neural measures combined, explained 32% of the variance in clinical outcomes (F[4,33] = 3.86, p = .01).ConclusionThese findings corroborate the pathophysiological relevance of neural signatures of emotional biases and their potential as predictors of outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Fennema, D., Barker, G. J., O'Daly, O., Godlewska, B. R., Carr, E., Goldsmith, K., Young, A. H., Moll, J., & Zahn, R. (2024). Neural signatures of emotional biases predict clinical outcomes in difficult-to-treat depression. Research Directions: Depression, 1, e21.

MLA Style

Fennema, D., et al. “Neural Signatures of Emotional Biases Predict Clinical Outcomes in Difficult-to-Treat Depression.” Research Directions: Depression, vol. 1, Cambridge University Press, 2024, p. e21.

Chicago Style

Fennema, D, GJ Barker, O O'Daly, BR Godlewska, E Carr, K Goldsmith, AH Young, J Moll, and R Zahn. 2024. “Neural Signatures of Emotional Biases Predict Clinical Outcomes in Difficult-to-Treat Depression.” Research Directions: Depression 1: e21.
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