Causal network localization of brain stimulation targets for trait anxiety

Res Sq [Preprint]. 2024 Apr 9:rs.3.rs-4221074. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4221074/v1.

Abstract

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) can treat some neuropsychiatric disorders, but there is no consensus approach for identifying new targets. We localized causal circuit-based targets for anxiety that converged across multiple natural experiments. Lesions (n=451) and TMS sites (n=111) that modify anxiety mapped to a common normative brain circuit (r=0.68, p=0.01). In an independent dataset (n=300), individualized TMS site connectivity to this circuit predicted anxiety change (p=0.02). Subthalamic DBS sites overlapping the circuit caused more anxiety (n=74, p=0.006), thus demonstrating a network-level effect, as the circuit was derived without any subthalamic sites. The circuit was specific to trait versus state anxiety in datasets that measured both (p=0.003). Broadly, this illustrates a pathway for discovering novel circuit-based targets across neuropsychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Preprint