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. 2012 Sep;53(9):964-72.
doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02552.x. Epub 2012 Apr 23.

Default mode network connectivity in children with a history of preschool onset depression

Michael S Gaffrey  1 , Joan L Luby, Kelly Botteron, Grega Repovš, Deanna M Barch
Affiliations

Default mode network connectivity in children with a history of preschool onset depression

Michael S Gaffrey et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Atypical Default Mode Network (DMN) functional connectivity has been previously reported in depressed adults. However, there is relatively little data informing the developmental nature of this phenomenon. The current case-control study examined the DMN in a unique prospective sample of school-age children with a previous history of preschool depression.

Methods: DMN functional connectivity was assessed using resting state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging data and the posterior cingulate (PCC) as a seed region of interest. Thirty-nine medication naïve school age children (21 with a history of preschool depression and 18 healthy peers) and their families who were ascertained as preschoolers and prospectively assessed over at least 4 annual waves as part of a federally funded study of preschool depression were included.

Results: Decreased connectivity between the PCC and regions within the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), inferior parietal lobule, and cerebellum was found in children with known depression during the preschool period. Increased connectivity between the PCC and regions within the subgenual and anterior cingulate cortices and anterior MTG bilaterally was also found in these children. Additionally, a clinically relevant 'brain-behavior' relationship between atypical functional connectivity of the PCC and disruptions in emotion regulation was identified.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the DMN in children known to have experienced the onset of a clinically significant depressive syndrome during preschool. Results suggest that a history of preschool depression is associated with atypical DMN connectivity. However, longitudinal studies are needed to clarify whether the current findings of atypical DMN connectivity are a precursor or a consequence of preschool depression.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Whole brain resting state functional connectivity maps for Controls, children with a history of preschool depression (PO-MDD), and group differences (Difference). Group maps were generated using a seed region in the posterior cingulate (PCC; -2, -36, - 37; black dot in image). For group differences, warm colors indicate areas of greater connectivity with the PCC seed region in the PO-MDD group while cool colors indicate areas of greater connectivity with the PCC seed region in the control group. Functional images displayed on an inflated cortical surface representation using Caret (Van Essen, et al., 2001). Note: L = Left; R = Right
Figure 2
Figure 2
Reduced functional connectivity between the posterior cingulate (PCC, black dot in image) and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC; circled in figure) is associated with more effective use of sadness and anger regulation coping strategies. Regulation-Coping scores derived from the Children’s Emotion Management Scales. Greater scores indicate more effective use of regulation and coping strategies. Relationships are significant at the whole group level (p = .001) and at the subgroup level for sadness and anger Regulation-Coping in children with a history of preschool depression (PO-MDD) and sadness Regulation-Coping in healthy controls (all p < .05).
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