Amygdala Connectivity in Patients with Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Depression is a common symptom of Traumatic Brain Injury, injury to the brain due to external force. In this study, we analyzed network connectivity of the amygdala and the Default Mode Network (DMN) in patients with depression after TBI. We hypothesized that as the severity in depression of TBI patients increases, there will be an increasing number of alterations in the amygdala connectivity. We also hypothesized that as the severity in depression of TBI patients increases, there will be decreased DMN connectivity within the amygdala region. Using Power 264, we divided the brain into networks: Amygdala-Amygdala, Amygdala-DMN, AmygdalaElse, DMN-DMN, DMN-Else, Else-Else. Using graph theory, a discrete area of mathematics, we were able to visualize the connections that were found statistically and observe if or how network connections were altered.

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Garcia