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Network abnormalities in generalized anxiety pervade beyond the amygdala-profrontal cortex circuit - Insights from graph theory.pdf (458.04 kB)

Network abnormalities in generalized anxiety pervade beyond the amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuit: insights from graph theory

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:28 authored by Elena Makovac, Matteo Mancini, Sabrina Fagioli, David R Watson, Frances Meeten, Charlotte RaeCharlotte Rae, Hugo CritchleyHugo Critchley, Cristina Ottaviani
Generalized anxiety (GAD) has excessive anxiety and uncontrollable worry as core symptoms. Abnormal cerebral functioning underpins the expression and perhaps pathogenesis of GAD: Studies implicate impaired communication between the amygdala and the pre-frontal cortex (PFC). Our aim was to longitudinally investigate whether such network abnormalities are spatially restricted to this circuit or if the integrity of functional brain networks is globally disrupted in GAD. We acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 16 GAD patients and 16 matched controls at baseline and after 1 year. Using network modelling and graph-theory, whole-brain connectivity was characterized from local and global perspectives. Overall lower global efficiency, indicating sub-optimal brain-wide organization and integration, was present in patients with GAD compared to controls. The amygdala and midline cortices showed higher betweenness centrality, reflecting functional dominance of these brain structures. Third, lower betweenness centrality and lower degree emerged for PFC, suggesting weakened inhibitory control. Overall, network organization showed impairments consistent with neurobiological models of GAD (involving amygdala, PFC, and cingulate cortex) and further pointed to an involvement of temporal regions. Such impairments tended to progress over time and predict anxiety symptoms. A graph-analytic approach represents a powerful approach to deepen our understanding of GAD.

Funding

Italian Ministry of Health; GR2011-02348232

Italian Ministry of Health; GR-2010-2312442

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging

ISSN

0925-4927

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

281

Page range

107-116

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Publications
  • Sussex Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-10-12

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-09-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-10-11

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