Degree Centrality of the Functional Network in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the alternations of degree centrality(DC) in the brain of patients with major depressive disorder(MDD) at rest. Methods: We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data obtained from 31first-episode, treatment-naive young adults with MDD and from 32 matched healthy control subjects. Analysis of DC map between the patient group and the control group wereperformed by two sample t test(P 30). Results: Compared with the control group, patients with MDD showed significantly decreased DC value in medial prefrontal cortex and precuneus. Brain regions with increased DC included inferior parietal lobule, hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus. All abnormal brain areas mentioned above belong to the default mode network(DMN). Conclusion: The abnormal DC of the DMN may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of MDD.