Identification of impaired functional network of differential symptoms in depression-A meta-analysis of resting-state functional connectivity.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous condition, manifesting with a range of clinical symptoms that may be linked to distinct brain circuits. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. In this meta-analysis, we systematically reviewed studies investigating brain network alterations in MDD through seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis. A total of 26 studies were included, with 18 contributing to the meta-analysis. Our findings revealed increased FC within the default mode network (DMN), and between the DMN and limbic network (LN), fronto-parietal network (FPN), while decreased FC between the DMN and ventral attention network (VAN) was associated with suicidal symptoms. For anxiety symptoms, we observed negative correlations with FC within the LN. Cognitive symptoms showed negative correlations with FC between the LN and FPN, and depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with FC between the LN and somatomotor network (SMN), and between the DMN and FPN. These findings highlight the relationship between various symptoms of MDD and their corresponding brain networks, enhancing our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that link brain network connectivity to depressive symptoms. Additionally, they provide theoretical basis for physical therapy interventions aimed at alleviating these symptoms.