BRAIN CONNECTIVITY AND FAMILIAL RISK FOR MAJOR MOOD DISORDERS

Abstract

Mood disorders are associated with differential connectivity in the default mode network (DMN). It is not clear whether these differing DMN connectivity precedes illness onset. We investigated DMN connectivity in 126 offspring of parents with major mood disorders and 78 control offspring of unaffected parents (ages 9 to19), and also studied how connectivity is associated with depression symptoms. There were no differences in DMN connectivity of those at high familial risk compared to controls, and no significant relationship between DMN connectivity and depression symptoms. Following this, we studied the association of DMN and salience network (SN) connectivity with mood disorder onsets so as to find subject specific variables that can complement family history and aid in better identification of those at risk. Our analysis revealed that connectivity within and between the DMN and SN was not associated with mood disorder onsets, but depression symptoms were. Therefore, connectivity might not complement family history in better identification of those at risk of developing mood disorders, but clinical risk can.