Dysfunction of Affective Network in Post Ischemic Stroke Depression: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Objective . Previous studies have demonstrated that stroke characteristics and social and psychological factors jointly contribute to the development of poststroke depression (PSD). The purpose of this study was to identify altered functional connectivity (FC) of the affective network (AN) in patients with PSD and to explore the correlation between FC and the severity of PSD. Materials and Methods . 26 PSD patients, 24 stroke patients without depression, and 24 age-matched normal controls underwent the resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) scanning. The bilateral anterior cingulated cortices (ACCs) were selected as regions of interest (ROIs). FC was calculated and compared among the three groups. The association between FC and Hamilton Depression Rate Scale (HDRS) scores of PSD group was investigated. Results . The FC of the AN was disrupted in PSD patients compared to stroke patients without depression and normal controls. Moreover, the left orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus which indicated altered FC was significantly correlated with HDRS scores in PSD patients. Conclusions . Dysfunction of the affective network may be one of the reasons of the development of PSD.