Berlim2021 - The network structure of core depressive symptom-domains in major depressive disorder following antidepressant treatment, a randomized clinical trial
- Type:#article
- Year read:#read2021
- Subject: Depression Network theory
- Bibtex: @berlim2021
- Bibliography: Berlim, M. T., Richard-Devantoy, S., dos Santos, N. R., & Turecki, G. (2021). The network structure of core depressive symptom-domains in major depressive disorder following antidepressant treatment: A randomized clinical trial. Psychological Medicine, 51(14), 2399–2413. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720001002
Example citation
In a network analysis of depressive symptoms following treatment with antidepressants, Berlim et al. (2021) found that the depressive symptom-networks became more densely connected and predictable as depressive severity decreased with treatment [@berlim2021].
Key takeaways
- RCT of escitalopram or desvenlafaxine (n = 151)
- Network structure of nine core MDD nodes before and after trt
- Most central symptom at baseline: fatigue
- Most central post-treatment: depressed mood
- Appetite/weight-disturbance most peripheral at both pre and post
- The networks were significantly more connected at post-treatment than at baseline, in particular depressed mood and cognitive disturbance/suicidality (see figure)
- 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) rating scale
Central symptoms or network nodes can be treatment targets because when they are (in)activated they affect other symptoms in the network.
Our main finding was that, over time and irrespective of the AD used, the MDD symptom-domains network became more densely connected and predictable while the overall depressive severity significantly decreased.