Religious and spiritual importance moderate relation between default mode network connectivity and familial risk for depression
Open accessAbstract
Individuals at high risk for depression have increased default mode network (DMN) connectivity, as well as reduced inverse connectivity between the DMN and the central executive network (CEN) [8]. Other studies have indicated that the belief in the importance of religion/spirituality (R/S) is protective against depression in high risk individuals [5]. Given these findings, we hypothesized that R/S importance would moderate DMN connectivity, potentially reducing DMN connectivity or increasing DMN-CEN inverse connectivity in individuals at high risk for depression. Using resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) in a sample of 104 individuals (aged 11-60) at high and low risk for familial depression, we previously reported increased DMN connectivity and reduced DMN-CEN inverse connectivity in high risk individuals. Here, we found that this effect was moderated by self-report measures of R/S importance. Greater R/S importance in the high risk group was associated with decreased DMN connectivity. These results may represent a protective neural adaptation in the DMN of individuals at high risk for depression, and may have implications for other meditation-based therapies for depression.
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The neural underpinnings of the effects of mindfulness meditation are considered to be changes in the salience network and the default mode network.
“In addition, the neural underpinnings of these effects are considered to be changes in the salience network and the DMN, respectively.”
From Neural correlates of a mindfulness-based intervention in anorexia nervosa (2023) · cites this paper as [7]
The Abstract says prior studies suggest mindfulness meditation may reduce default mode network (DMN) connectivity, supporting the DMN part of the claim. Neither the Abstract nor the Discussion identifies changes in the salience network as an underpinning of meditation's effects. This paper examines religious/spiritual importance rather than testing meditation directly; page numbers are not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe key features of the effects of mindfulness meditation can be viewed as emotional and self-referential processing.
“According to recent reviews,4,7 the key features of the effects of mindfulness mediation can be viewed as emotional and self-referential processing.”
From Neural correlates of a mindfulness-based intervention in anorexia nervosa (2023) · cites this paper as [7]
The Abstract says mindfulness meditation may alter default mode network connectivity, and the Discussion associates that network with self-referential thinking. Neither passage identifies emotional processing as a key effect of mindfulness meditation; the study itself examines religious/spiritual importance rather than meditation. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe anterior cingulate cortex is the core node of the salience network and has a strong connection with limbic structures, including the amygdala.
“The ACC is the core node of the salience network and has a strong connection with limbic structures, including the amygdala.7”
From Neural correlates of a mindfulness-based intervention in anorexia nervosa (2023) · cites this paper as [7]
The Methods and Results discuss connectivity in the default mode and central executive networks, focusing on the precuneus, lateral parietal lobe, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (page numbers unavailable). Searches for the anterior cingulate cortex, salience network, amygdala, and limbic connectivity found no passage addressing the cited claim. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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- Authors
- Svob, C., Wang, Z., Weissman, M. M., Wickramaratne, P., & Posner, J.
- Affiliations
- New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
- Corresponding author
- Svob, Connie
- Venue
- Neuroscience Letters
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-11
- Volume
- 634
- Pages
- 94-97
- ISSN
- 0304-3940 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5097884
- OpenAlex
- W2529447458
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 3.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Neuroscience Letters (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Columbia Academic Commons (Columbia University)
- Funders
- NIMH (2-R01-MH36197)
- John Templeton Foundation (54679)
- Shire Pharmaceuticals
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Sackler Foundation
- Templeton Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Keywords
- default mode network, frontoparietal network, familial risk for depression, resting-state functional connectivity, depression risk
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Brain, Child, Depression, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Middle Aged, Religion and Psychology, Risk, Spirituality, Young Adult, Connectome
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