Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of spontaneous and induced rumination in major depression: An fNIRS study

David Rosenbaum; Isabell Int-Veen; Agnes Kroczek; Paula Hilsendegen; Kerstin Velten-Schurian; Isabel Bihlmaier; Andreas J. Fallgatter; Ann‐Christine Ehlis

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-78317-y

December 9, 2020Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of spontaneous and induced rumination in major depression: An fNIRS study

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Why the study?

The study investigated the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) at rest and during rumination induction to explore differences in cortical blood oxygenation between individuals with major depressive disorder and healthy controls.

Does rumination induction alter cortical blood oxygenation (ALFF) differently in patients with Major Depressive Disorder compared to healthy controls?

Structured PICO

Does rumination induction alter cortical blood oxygenation (ALFF) differently in patients with Major Depressive Disorder compared to healthy controls?

P

Population

52 participants (26 with Major Depressive Disorder [MDD] and 26 healthy controls [HC]), mean age 38.75 years, 73% female, recruited at the University Hospital of Tübingen.

I

Intervention

Biographical rumination induction procedure (3 minutes per situation, 6 minutes total) and resting state measurements using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

C

Comparator

Healthy controls undergoing the identical rumination induction and resting state procedures.

O

Outcome

Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of cortical blood oxygenation measured via fNIRS at rest and during rumination induction.surrogate

Patients with Major Depressive Disorder exhibit general cortical hypoactivity compared to healthy controls, though both groups demonstrate similar temporo-parietal activation increases during induced rumination.

Implication

fNIRS ALFF differences in MDD during rumination are hypothesis-generating; leaves open clinical translation or diagnostic utility.

Abstract

In the current study, we investigated the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) at rest and during a rumination induction. Specifically, we explored the differences of cortical blood oxygenation using fNIRS in subjects with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC). Rumination was assessed as state and trait measure, as well as with a qualitative semi-structured interview. Qualitative and quantitative measures of rumination indicated that the MDD group showed elevated rumination regarding state and trait measures. Furthermore, rumination differed qualitatively between the groups. The MDD group showed higher levels of general rumination and increased rumination during the rumination induction. However, the MDD group did not show a carry-over effect of elevated rumination after the induction paradigm to the following resting-state measurement. On a neuronal level, we observed a general hypoactivity in the MDD group compared to the HC group. Moreover, both groups showed increased ALFF during the rumination induction compared to the rest phase, especially in temporo-parietal areas. However, no interaction effect of MDD status and rumination induction was found. The current findings are discussed with respect to the literature of paradigms used in the investigation of rumination and suggestions on general improvements in rumination research are given.