Network-level disconnectivity tracks poststroke depressive symptom improvement

Abstract

Aims: Poststroke depression is the most common psychological condition following a stroke and can severely impact outcome. However, the neurobiological biomarkers associated with recovery of poststroke depression remain unclear. In this longitudinal observational study, we set out to investigate the effect of lesion-induced focal damage and network-level disconnectivity, and longitudinal structural connectivity on poststroke depression and its recovery. Methods: Sixty-two participants underwent a psychological assessment utilizing the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-SIGMA) at 3 and 12 months post first-ever stroke. First, we evaluated the relationship between lesions and MAD..