Functional network reorganization and thalamocortical gating as neurobiological markers of recovery in somatic symptom disorder: A 6‐month longitudinal source EEG study
Longitudinal cohort study uncovers sensorimotor network reorganization and thalamic changes during recovery in somatic symptom disorder, indicating multilayered neurobiological markers.
Key Points
To identify hierarchical neurophysiological features and neural network dynamics associated with clinical recovery versus chronicity in somatic symptom disorder.
Analyzed resting-state source-localized electroencephalography (EEG) in 83 patients with somatic symptom disorder and 80 matched healthy controls.
Tracked 76 participants across a 6-month longitudinal follow-up, evaluating source-localized spectral power and network efficiency relative to somatic and affective symptom trajectories.
Patients demonstrated a significant reduction in somatic symptoms over time (P < 0.001), yet displayed persistent deficits in gamma-band global efficiency compared to controls (P = 0.035; group × time interaction P = 0.972).
Thalamic spectral power demonstrated significant group × time interactions (P < 0.05), while symptomatic improvement specifically correlated with beta-band nodal efficiency reorganization in the left central sensorimotor region (r = -0.54, P < 0.001), independent of depression and anxiety.