Altered cortical functional network in major depressive disorder: A resting-state electroencephalogram study.

Background: Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain network analysis is a useful biological correlate reflecting brain function. Sensor-level network analysis might be contaminated by volume conduction and does not explain regional brain characteristics. Source-level network analysis could be a useful alternative. We analyzed EEG-based source-level network in major depressive disorder (MDD).

Method: Resting-state EEG was recorded in 87 MDD and 58 healthy controls, and cortical source signals were estimated. Network measures were calculated: global indices (strength, clustering coefficient (CC), path length (PL), and efficiency) and nodal indices (eigenvector centrality and nodal CC) in six frequency. Correlation analyses were performed between network indices and symptom scales.

Results: At the global level, MDD showed decreased strength, CC in theta and alpha bands, and efficiency in alpha band, while enhanced PL in alpha band. At nodal level, eigenvector centrality of alpha band showed region dependent changes in MDD. Nodal CCs of alpha band were reduced in MDD and were negatively correlated with depression and anxiety scales.

Conclusion: Disturbances in EEG-based brain network indices might reflect altered emotional processing in MDD. These source-level network indices might provide useful biomarkers to understand regional brain pathology in MDD.