Out-of-sync: disrupted neural activity in emotional circuitry during film viewing in melancholic depression

• DOI: 10.1038/srep11605
• Publication Date: 2015-06-26T09:15:46Z
• Authors: Christine C. Guo; Vinh T. Nguyen; Matthew P. Hyett; Gordon B. Parker; Michael J. Breaks...
• Keywords: Intraparietal sulcus; Disengagement theory

Abstract While a rich body of research in controlled experiments has established changes the neural circuitry emotion major depressive disorders, little is known as to how such alterations might translate into complex, naturalistic settings - namely involving dynamic multimodal stimuli with contexts, those provided by films. Neuroimaging paradigms employing natural alleviate anxiety often associated complex tasks and eschew need for laboratory-style abstractions, hence providing an ecologically valid means elucidating underpinnings neuropsychiatric disorders. To probe neurobiological signature refined depression subtypes, we acquired functional neuroimaging data patients melancholic subtype disorder during free viewing emotionally salient We found marked disengagement ventromedial prefrontal cortex film negative emotional valence melancholia. This effect significantly correlated severity. Such occurred on background diminished consistency activity visual auditory sensory networks, well higher-order networks involved attention, including bilateral intraparietal sulcus right anterior insula. These findings may reflect failure re-allocate resources reactivity external