An investigation into the abnormal dynamic connection mechanism of generalized anxiety disorders based on non-homogeneous Markov models

Qin Tang; Gan Zhang; Yun-Shuang Fan; Wei Sheng; Chenguang Yang; Liju Liu; Xingli Liu; Haoxiang Liu; Yuanhong Guo; Qing Gao; Fengmei Lu; Zongling He; Qian Cui; Huafu Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.038

An investigation into the abnormal dynamic connection mechanism of generalized anxiety disorders based on non-homogeneous Markov models

J Affect Disord. 2024 Jun 1:354:500-508. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.038. Epub 2024 Mar 12.

Authors

Qin Tang¹, Gan Zhang², Yun-Shuang Fan², Wei Sheng², Chenguang Yang², Liju Liu², Xingli Liu², Haoxiang Liu², Yuanhong Guo², Qing Gao³, Fengmei Lu², Zongling He², Qian Cui⁴, Huafu Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital to Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
² The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
³ The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
⁴ School of Public Affairs and Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: qiancui26@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital to Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; MOE Key Lab for Neuroinformation High-Field Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: chenhf@uestc.edu.cn.

PMID: 38484883
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.038

Abstract

Background: The dynamic and hierarchical nature of the functional brain network. The neural dynamical systems tend to converge to multiple attractors (stable fixed points or dynamical states) in long run. Little is known about how the changes in this brain dynamic "long-term" behavior of the connectivity flow of brain network in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Methods: This study recruited 92 patients with GAD and 77 healthy controls (HC). We applied a reachable probability approach combining a Non-homogeneous Markov model with transition probability to quantify all possible connectivity flows and the hierarchical structure of brain functional systems at the dynamic level and the stationary probability vector (10-step transition probabilities) to describe the steady state of the system in the long run. A random forest algorithm was conducted to predict the severity of anxiety.

Results: The dynamic functional patterns in distributed brain networks had larger possibility to converge in bilateral thalamus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), right superior occipital gyrus (SOG) and smaller possibility to converge in bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG) and right parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) in patients with GAD compared to HC. The abnormal transition probability pattern could predict anxiety severity in patients with GAD.

Limitations: Small samples and subjects taking medications may have influenced our results. Future studies are expected to rule out the potential confounding effects.

Conclusion: Our results have revealed abnormal dynamic neural communication and integration in emotion regulation in patients with GAD, which give new insights to understand the dynamics of brain function of patients with GAD.

Keywords: Generalized anxiety disorder; Non-homogeneous Markov model; Stationary probability; Transition probability.

MeSH terms

Anxiety Disorders / psychology
Brain Mapping / methods
Brain* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Temporal Lobe