Disrupted structural brain networks and structural-functional decoupling in adolescent major depressive disorder

Motivation: Previous studies have demonstrated brain abnormalities in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD); however, how the topological organization of brain networks is affected is still unclear. Goal(s): This study aimed to investigate the white matter (WM) structural topology in adolescent MDD. Approach: The topological metrics of WM structural brain networks were analyzed using graph theory method. Results: Adolescent MDD patients showed disrupted topological organization at the global, rich-club and modular levels, exhibited abnormal nodal centralities in multiple regions, and had a decrease in the coupling between structural and functional connectivity. Impact: Our findings suggest widespread disruption of structural brain networks and structural-functional decoupling in adolescent MDD, which may provide new insights into the neurobiology of adolescent MDD.