Disrupted brain functional connectome gradient in social anxiety disorder

Motivation: Although discrete macroscale functional network abnormalities were observed in social anxiety disorder (SAD), the alterations of continuous spatial patterns of functional connectomes remain unknown. Goal(s): We aimed to use a novel method to characterize aberrant patterns of connectome gradients in SAD patients. Approach: We applied diffusion map embedding to characterize functional connectome gradients and investigated between-group differences of global and regional topological features and their clinical relevance. Results: Globally, SAD patients demonstrated decreased explanation ratio, narrower gradient range and less spatial variation in the principal gradient. Regionally, SAD group showed increased gradients in the sensorimotor networks and decreased in the default mode network. Impact: Our findings of internally clinically-relevant disrupted hierarchy patterns of functional connectomes could add further insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of SAD, and may advance the development of objective biomarkers for early diagnosis, targeted intervention, and therapeutic efficacy evaluation in SAD.