A study on the correlation between triple network connectivity and rumination of current episode major depressive disorder

Abstract Background Rumination of Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) affects the occurrence and development of the disease.Although the triple networks abnormalities have been implicated consistently in MDD and rumination neuropathology, the correlation between MDD with current depressive episode as well as resting-state triple network alterations have not been clearly studied. Methods The present study analyzed Regions of Interest(ROI)-toROI connectivity across the default-mode network (DMN), the salience network (SN) as well as the frontal-parietal network (FPN), namely the Triple Network, of MDD patients with the current depressive episode(n = 19, 26 ± 5. 44 years old, 12 females and 7males) and healthy controls (HCs;n = 19, 25 ± 4. 18 years old, 14 females and 5males). FC values and the Rumination Response scale(RRS) scores were investigated by correlation analysis. Results Comparing with HCs, hyperconnectivity in MDD was appeared between the DMN and the SN. Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive and moderate relation between FC values and scores of RRS and its sub-scales. Conclusions Rumination in current episode MDD patients is related with FC between DMN and SN, which connects two large-scale functions networks involved numerous functions such as self-reference,attention and else. This study may provide new insights into the neural mechanisms of MDD and rumination and reflect biomarkers of MDD with current depressive episode.