Altered Anatomical Modular Organization Of Brain Networks In Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

This study investigates the abnormal brain structural connectivity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) through a modularization approach. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were collected from 20 MDD patients and 20 age-matched controls. The structural modularity characteristics and their relationships with clinical variables were examined. Results indicated that MDD patients exhibited reorganized modules with widely damaged global inter-module connectivity in limbic system and altered intra-module connectivity in left hemisphere. Furthermore, the module degree in right rolandic operculum, left posterior cingulate gyrus, right cuneus and right fusiform gyrus were negatively correlated with the depression severity. Additionally, a positive relationship was also found between the duration of disease and participant coefficient in left median cingulate. The current findings highlight altered modular organization in MDD patients, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.