Cited by 1,196Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesTreatment of Major DepressionNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Resting-state functional MRI in depression unmasks increased connectivity between networks via the dorsal nexus

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Sheline, Yvette I., Price, Joseph L., Yan, Zhizi, Mintun, Mark A.·2010·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

To better understand intrinsic brain connections in major depression, we used a neuroimaging technique that measures resting state functional connectivity using functional MRI (fMRI). Three different brain networks—the cognitive control network, default mode network, and affective network—were investigated. Compared with controls, in depressed subjects each of these three networks had increased connectivity to the same bilateral dorsal medial prefrontal cortex region, an area that we term the dorsal nexus. The dorsal nexus demonstrated dramatically increased depression-associated fMRI connectivity with large portions of each of the three networks. The discovery that these regions are linked together through the dorsal nexus provides a potential mechanism to explain how symptoms of major depression thought to arise in distinct networks—decreased ability to focus on cognitive tasks, rumination, excessive self-focus, increased vigilance, and emotional, visceral, and autonomic dysregulation—could occur concurrently and behave synergistically. It suggests that the newly identified dorsal nexus plays a critical role in depressive symptomatology, in effect “hot wiring” networks together; it further suggests that reducing increased connectivity of the dorsal nexus presents a potential therapeutic target.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1000446107

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  • Negatively biased self-generated thoughts and heightened activity of the DMN have been associated with depression.

    “For example, negatively biased self-generated thoughts and heightened activity of the DMN have been associated with depression (20, 21, 54, 56–58), as well as maladaptive rumination (55).”

    From SSRI Treatment Response Prediction in Depression Based on Brain Activation by Emotional Stimuli (2020) · cites this paper as [57]

    The Discussion (page not provided) reports increased resting-state DMN connectivity in depression, and the paper links the DMN to self-referential activity and increased self-focus. It does not establish that the self-generated thoughts are negatively biased; the separate rumination clause is cited to another source. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • According to the dorsal nexus hypothesis, reducing hyperactive dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reactivity to negative stimuli in remission may restore emotion regulation capacity.

    “According to the dorsal nexus hypothesis, reducing hyperactive dorsolateral PFC reactivity to negative stimuli in remission may restore emotion regulation capacity.”

    From Static and treatment-responsive brain biomarkers of depression relapse vulnerability following prophylactic psychotherapy: Evidence from a randomized control trial (2022) · cites this paper as Sheline et al., 2010

    The Discussion (page not supplied) links increased dorsal nexus connectivity, including connectivity with the dorsolateral PFC, to dysfunction in depression. The paper also suggests that reducing dorsal nexus connectivity could be a therapeutic target. It does not propose reducing dorsolateral PFC reactivity to negative stimuli in remission or show that doing so restores emotion regulation. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Abnormal resting-state connectivity of the subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC) was previously found in cross-sectional studies of MDD.

    “Abnormal resting-state connectivity of the subgenual cingulate cortex (sgACC) was previously found in cross-sectional studies of MDD, suggesting its potential pathophysiological importance.”
  • The default mode network has altered resting state functional connectivity between networks when depressed patients are compared to healthy participants.

    “Recent findings suggested that the DMN has altered resting state functional connectivity between networks when depressed patients were compared to healthy participants [20].”
  • Hyperconnectivity within the DMN exists in major depressive disorder, and abnormal hyperconnectivity of a 'dorsal nexus' is important.

    “Sheline and colleagues [20] reported that such hyperconnectivity in the DMN exists for MDD; and, in their study, they highlighted the importance of abnormal hyperconnectivity of a “dorsal nexus.””

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Authors
Sheline, Y. I., Price, J. L., Yan, Z., & Mintun, M. A.
Affiliations
  • Departments of aPsychiatry,
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Radiology,
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2010-06
Volume
107
Issue
24
Pages
11020-11025
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2146146069
Cited by
1,196
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 65 · 2025: 65 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 67 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 98 · 2020: 74 · 2019: 81 · 2018: 98 · 2017: 84 · 2016: 100 · 2015: 85 · 2014: 80 · 2013: 89 · 2012: 67
FWCI
36.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Public Health Service (K24MHO79510)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (K24 MHO79510, R01 MH64821, R01MH064821, K24MH079510)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
major depressive disorder, resting-state functional connectivity, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, cognitive control network, default mode network, affective networks, intrinsic brain networks, rumination, emotional dysregulation, therapeutic target
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Cognition, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Neurological, Nerve Net, Rest, Case-Control Studies, Prefrontal Cortex

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