Cited by 63Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesTreatment of Major Depression

Cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: systematic review of imaging studies

Franklin, George, Carson, Alan J, Welch, Killian A.·2016·Acta Neuropsychiatrica

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression, the biological mechanisms underpinning it are less clear. This review examines if it is associated with changes identifiable with current brain imaging technologies. METHODS: To better understand the mechanisms by which CBT exerts its effects, we undertook a systematic review of studies examining brain imaging changes associated with CBT treatment of depression. RESULTS: Ten studies were identified, five applying functional magnetic resonance imaging, three positron emission tomography, one single photon emission computer tomography, and one magnetic resonance spectroscopy. No studies used structural MRI. Eight studies included a comparator group; in only one of these studies was there randomised allocation to another treatment. CBT-associated changes were most commonly observed in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), posterior cingulate, ventromedial prefrontal cortex/orbitofrontal cortex (VMPFC/OFC) and amygdala/hippocampus. DISCUSSION: The evidence, such as it is, suggests resting state activity in the dorsal ACC is decreased by CBT. It has previously been suggested that treatment with CBT may result in increased efficiency of a putative 'dorsal cognitive circuit', important in cognitive control and effortful regulation of emotion. It is speculated this results in an increased capacity for 'top-down' emotion regulation, which is employed when skills taught in CBT are engaged. Though changes in activity of the dorsal ACC could be seen as in-keeping with this model, the data are currently insufficient to make definitive statements about how CBT exerts its effects. Data do support the contention that CBT is associated with biological brain changes detectable with current imaging technologies.

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Crossref · 10.1017/neu.2015.41

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Authors
Franklin, G., Carson, A. J., & Welch, K. A.
Affiliations
Royal Edinburgh Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Welch, Killian A.
Venue
Acta Neuropsychiatrica
Published
2015-06-30
Volume
28
Issue
2
Pages
61-74
ISSN
  • 0924-2708 (ISSN-L)
  • 1601-5215
OpenAlex
W1839062540
Cited by
63
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 11 · 2015: 1
FWCI
0.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Acta Neuropsychiatrica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
cognitive behavioral therapy, depression, neuroimaging, therapeutic mechanisms, anterior cingulate cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, resting-state brain activity, functional MRI, positron emission tomography
MeSH terms
Brain, Depression, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Functional Neuroimaging

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