The Association among Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity, Mentalization, and Psychopathology in a Nonclinical Sample: An eLORETA Study.
Benedetto Farina, Giacomo Della Marca, Giulia Maestoso, Noemi Amoroso, Enrico Maria Valenti, Giuseppe Alessio Carbone, Chiara Massullo, Anna Contardi, Claudio Imperatori
Psychopathology January 13, 2018 DOI: 10.1159/000485517 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | University students (35 women) with a mean age of 22.92 ± 2.53 years, grouped by self-reported mentalization capability and psychopathological symptoms |
| Measures | Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Keywords | Humans Psychopathology Community networks Female Young adult Theory of mind Mentalization EEG Functional Connectivity Eloreta |
| Key findings | Participants with mentalization impairments and high psychopathological symptoms showed decreased EEG beta connectivity between the right and left medial frontal lobes and between the left medial frontal lobe and the right anterior cingulate cortex, compared with those high in mentalization and low in symptoms. Mentalization scores were positively associated with medial frontal connectivity, while interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and psychoticism were negatively associated with it. The authors propose this may reflect a top-down emotion regulation deficit associated with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. |
Abstract
Aims: We investigated default mode network (DMN) electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity differences between individuals with self-reported high mentalization capability and low psychopathological symptoms, versus participants with mentalization impairments and high psychopathological symptoms.
Methods: Forty-nine students (35 women) with a mean age of 22.92 ± 2.53 years were administered the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Five minutes of EEG during resting state were also recorded for each participant. DMN functional connectivity analyses were conducted by means of the exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (eLORETA).
Results: Compared to the individuals with high mentalization capability and lower self-reported psychopathological symptoms, participants with mentalization impairments and high psychopathological symptoms showed a decrease of EEG beta connectivity between: (i) the right and left medial frontal lobe, and (ii) the left medial frontal lobe and the right anterior cingulate cortex. Furthermore, while MZQ total score was positively associated with DMN network connections (i.e., right and left medial frontal lobes), several psychopathological symptoms (i.e., interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and psychoticism) were negatively associated with DMN connectivity.
Conclusion: Our results may reflect a top-down emotion regulation deficit which is associated with both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on default mode network, most cited first.