Weakened Brain Network Connectivity in Adolescent Depression
How does depression affect teenage brain networks?
Depression significantly weakens brain network communication in teenagers, impairing attention switching and increasing rumination. Brain imaging shows reduced connectivity between key networks during rest.
Depression disrupts communication between the salience network and default mode network, explaining why depressed teenagers struggle with attention and get trapped in rumination patterns.
What the data show:
- Network disruption: salience and default mode networks disconnect
- Attention impact: impaired ability to switch between internal/external focus
- Rumination: increased negative thought patterns
- Cognitive effects: problems concentrating on tasks and schoolwork
- Developmental vulnerability: adolescent brain networks particularly susceptible
Adolescent depression significantly weakens the communication between the brain’s salience network and default mode network during rest, explaining characteristic attention difficulties and rumination patterns.