Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

PurposePatients with subthreshold depression (sD) carry a significant risk of developing major depressive disorder. However, few studies focus on the influence of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) on brain network, particularly among Chinese undergraduates. This study aims to conduc...

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Main Authors: Wenquan Yu, Yuchen Ying, Li Wang, YiLing Yang, Li Zhang, Yu Wang, Zili Zhu, Hui Zhang, Yuning Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1474339/full
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author Wenquan Yu
Yuchen Ying
Li Wang
YiLing Yang
Li Zhang
Yu Wang
Zili Zhu
Hui Zhang
Yuning Pan
author_facet Wenquan Yu
Yuchen Ying
Li Wang
YiLing Yang
Li Zhang
Yu Wang
Zili Zhu
Hui Zhang
Yuning Pan
author_sort Wenquan Yu
collection DOAJ
description PurposePatients with subthreshold depression (sD) carry a significant risk of developing major depressive disorder. However, few studies focus on the influence of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) on brain network, particularly among Chinese undergraduates. This study aims to conduct resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to explore the effects of ICBT on neurofunctional network.MethodsThis short-term longitudinal study enrolled 30 sD patients and 24 healthy matched participants. We gathered the clinical measurements outcomes from sD patients. Baseline and post-intervention MRI scans were performed for the sD patients, additionally, a matched healthy controls group underwent baseline MRI scans, functional network matrix was established from the temporal rs-MRI series. Nodal efficiency (Enod) was quantified by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of network metrics.ResultsThe patients with sD exhibited reduced clinical measurement scores after ICBT intervention. Moreover, after ICBT intervention, functional network analysis revealed an increased Enod in the orbital part of the left inferior frontal gyrus, and decreased Enod in the left paracentral lobule and right precentral gyrus.ConclusionThis study showed alterations in brain network in patients with sD after ICBT intervention. These findings shed light on the neurofunctional mechanisms underlying the effects of ICBT in sD patients.
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spelling doaj-art-9661a16309a741cea7cc21ee5ca82c0e2025-08-20T02:16:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-04-011610.3389/fneur.2025.14743391474339Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral TherapyWenquan Yu0Yuchen Ying1Li Wang2YiLing Yang3Li Zhang4Yu Wang5Zili Zhu6Hui Zhang7Yuning Pan8Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaNingbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaNingbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaNingbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaNingbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, ChinaPurposePatients with subthreshold depression (sD) carry a significant risk of developing major depressive disorder. However, few studies focus on the influence of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) on brain network, particularly among Chinese undergraduates. This study aims to conduct resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to explore the effects of ICBT on neurofunctional network.MethodsThis short-term longitudinal study enrolled 30 sD patients and 24 healthy matched participants. We gathered the clinical measurements outcomes from sD patients. Baseline and post-intervention MRI scans were performed for the sD patients, additionally, a matched healthy controls group underwent baseline MRI scans, functional network matrix was established from the temporal rs-MRI series. Nodal efficiency (Enod) was quantified by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) of network metrics.ResultsThe patients with sD exhibited reduced clinical measurement scores after ICBT intervention. Moreover, after ICBT intervention, functional network analysis revealed an increased Enod in the orbital part of the left inferior frontal gyrus, and decreased Enod in the left paracentral lobule and right precentral gyrus.ConclusionThis study showed alterations in brain network in patients with sD after ICBT intervention. These findings shed light on the neurofunctional mechanisms underlying the effects of ICBT in sD patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1474339/fullcognitive behavioral therapynodal efficiencyleft paracentral lobulefunctional magnetic resonance imagingbrain network analysis
spellingShingle Wenquan Yu
Yuchen Ying
Li Wang
YiLing Yang
Li Zhang
Yu Wang
Zili Zhu
Hui Zhang
Yuning Pan
Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Frontiers in Neurology
cognitive behavioral therapy
nodal efficiency
left paracentral lobule
functional magnetic resonance imaging
brain network analysis
title Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
title_full Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
title_fullStr Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
title_full_unstemmed Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
title_short Short-term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression: the impact of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
title_sort short term alterations of brain network properties in subthreshold depression the impact of internet based cognitive behavioral therapy
topic cognitive behavioral therapy
nodal efficiency
left paracentral lobule
functional magnetic resonance imaging
brain network analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1474339/full
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