Biology subjects

Hilland, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Hilland, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Attentional Bias Modification Alters fMRI Response towards Negative Stimuli in Residual Depression

BackgroundModification of attentional biases (ABM) may lead to more adaptive emotion perception and emotion regulation. Understanding the neural basis of these effects may lead to greater precision for future treatment development. Task-related fMRI following ABM training has so far not been investigated in depression. The main aim of the RCT was to explore differences in brain activity after ABM training in response to emotional stimuli.\n\nMethodsA total of 134 previously depressed individuals were randomized into 14 days of ABM- or a placebo training followed by an fMRI emotion regulation task. Depression symptoms and subjective ratings of perceived negativity during fMRI was examined between the training groups. Brain activation was explored within predefined areas (SVC) and across the whole brain. Activation in areas associated with changes in attentional biases (AB) and degree of depression was explored.\n\nResultsThe ABM group showed reduced activation within the amygdala and within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) when passively viewing negative images compared to the placebo group. No group differences were found within predefined SVCs associated with emotion regulation strategies. Response within the temporal cortices was associated with degree of change in AB and with degree of depressive symptoms in ABM versus placebo.\n\nLimitationsThe findings should be replicated in other samples of depressed patients and in studies using designs that allow analyses of within-group variability from baseline to follow-up.\n\nConclusionsABM training has an effect on brain function within circuitry associated with emotional appraisal and the generation of affective states.\n\nClinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02931487

clinical trials↗

bioRxiv2018

Effects of Attentional Bias Modification on Residual Symptoms in depression. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundFollowing treatment, many depressed patients have significant residual symptoms. However, large randomised controlled trials (RCT) in this population are lacking. When Attention bias modification training (ABM) leads to more positive emotional biases, associated changes in clinical symptoms have been reported. A broader and more transparent picture of the true advantage of ABM based on larger and more stringent clinical trials have been requested.\n\nAimsTo evaluate the early effect of two weeks ABM training on blinded clinician-rated and self-reported residual symptoms, and whether changes towards more positive attentional biases (AB) would be associated with symptom reduction.\n\nMethodA total of 321 patients with a history of depression were included in a preregistered randomized controlled double-blinded trial. Patients were randomised to an emotional ABM paradigm over fourteen days or a closely matched control condition. Symptoms based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) were obtained at baseline and after ABM training.\n\nResultsABM training led to significantly greater decrease in clinician-rated symptoms of depression as compared to the control condition. No differences between ABM and placebo were found for self-reported symptoms. ABM induced a change of AB towards relatively more positive stimuli associated with greater symptom reduction.\n\nConclusionThe current study demonstrates that ABM produces early changes in both AB and blinded clinician-rated depressive symptoms. ABM may have practical potential in the treatment of residual depression.\n\nClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02658682

clinical trials↗

bioRxiv2018

Data-driven clustering reveals a link between symptoms and functional brain connectivity in depression

BackgroundDepression is a complex disorder with large inter-individual variability in symptom profiles that often occur alongside symptoms of other psychiatric domains such as anxiety. A dimensional and symptom-based approach may help refine the characterization and classification of depressive and anxiety disorders and thus aid in establishing robust biomarkers. We assess the brain functional connectivity correlates of a symptom-based clustering of individuals using functional brain imaging data.\n\nMethodsWe assessed symptoms of depression and anxiety using Becks Depression and Becks Anxiety inventories in individuals with or without a history of depression, and high dimensional data clustering to form subgroups based on symptom profiles. To assess the biological relevance of this subtyping, we compared functional magnetic resonance imaging-based dynamic and static functional connectivity between subgroups in a subset of the total sample.\n\nResultsWe identified five subgroups with distinct symptom profiles, cutting across diagnostic boundaries and differing in terms of total severity, symptom patterns and centrality. For instance, inability to relax, fear of the worst, and feelings of guilt were among the most severe symptoms in subgroup 1, 2 and 3, respectively. These subgroups showed evidence of differential static brain connectivity patterns, in particular comprising a fronto-temporal network. In contrast, we found no significant associations with clinical sum scores, dynamic functional connectivity or global connectivity measures.\n\nConclusionAdding to the ongoing pursuit of individual-based treatment, the results show subtyping based on a dimensional conceptualization and unique constellations of anxiety and depression symptoms is supported by distinct brain static functional connectivity patterns.

neuroscience↗