Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina)Oct 10, 2026

Brain Network Patterns and Their Link to Depression for More Precise Diagnosis and Treatment

Psychedelic Science Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Oct 15, 2026

Abstract

Functional connectivity patterns in specific brain networks may serve as biomarkers for predicting treatment response in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Alterations in brain networks such as the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), and salience network (SN) are associated with MDD.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals distinct connectivity patterns that may help identify effective interventions for individuals with MDD.
Current treatments analyzed include psychotherapy, SSRIs, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and ketamine.
Understanding the brain's connectome is crucial for advancing toward personalized mental healthcare.
Methodological challenges remain that could limit the clinical application of these findings.

Simplified

In recent decades, the study of the human connectome —the comprehensive map of the brain's neural connections— has redefined our understanding of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as a spectrum of functional and structural alterations in specific brain networks. This review explores evidence on functional connectivity patterns in MDD, highlighting the involvement of networks such as the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), salience network (SN), and reward circuits. We analyze patterns detected using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and their potential as biomarkers to predict treatment response to interventions currently included in clinical guidelines and widely used in practice, such as psychotherapy, first-line antidepressants (SSRIs), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine. For this purpose, we conducted an integrative narrative review of the scientific literature, selecting articles based on clinical relevance and methodological quality (GRADE), including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials. These findings may contribute to a paradigm shift toward precision psychiatry, increasingly centered on the individual. Although methodological challenges persist that limit their clinical application, understanding the connectome and its relationship with MDD pathogenesis is a fundamental step toward truly personalized mental healthcare.

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Brain Network Patterns and Their Link to Depression for More Precise Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract

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