Brain connectivity correlates of the impact of a digital intervention for individuals with subjective cognitive decline on depression and IL-18.
Merav Catalogna, Ya'Ira Somerville, Nira Saporta, Bar Nathansohn-Levi, Shahar Shelly, Liat Edry, Orna Zagoory-Sharon, Ruth Feldman, Amir Amedi
Scientific reports February 26, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91457-3 via PubMed
Summary
A two-week digital intervention combining spatial cognition, mindfulness, attention-training exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy reduced self-reported depression with a large effect size in adults aged 55-60 with subjective cognitive decline, elevated stress, and depressive symptoms. Resting-state fMRI showed decreased connectivity within the default mode network and enhanced anticorrelation between the default mode and salience networks, the latter linked to improved depression scores. Salivary IL-18 concentration decreased with a medium effect size, correlated with reduced default mode-amygdala connectivity. Anxiety showed a trend toward reduction, while quality of life did not change significantly. These preliminary findings suggest synergistic benefits across brain function, immune markers, and mood, but require replication in larger controlled studies.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17 |
| Population | Individuals aged 55-60 with subjective cognitive decline, elevated stress and depressive symptoms |
| Keywords | Digital training Il-18 Late-life depression Resting State FMRI Subjective cognitive decline |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | A two-week digital intervention reduced depression with a large effect size, decreased default mode network connectivity, enhanced default mode-salience network anticorrelation linked to improved depression, and reduced salivary IL-18 with a medium effect size. |
Abstract
Late-life depression represents a significant health concern, linked to disruptions in brain connectivity and immune functioning, mood regulation, and cognitive function. This pilot study explores a digital intervention targeting mental health, brain health, and immune functioning in individuals aged 55-60 with subjective cognitive decline, elevated stress and depressive symptoms. Seventeen participants engaged in a two-week intervention comprising spatial cognition, psychological techniques based on mindfulness, attention-training exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Pre-and post-intervention changes in resting-state functional connectivity, inflammation, and psychological health were evaluated. Key findings include: (1) Reduced self-reported depression with a large effect size, (2) Decreased connectivity within the default mode network (DMN), (3) Enhanced anticorrelation between the DMN-Salience networks that was associated with improved depression scores (4) Reduced salivary IL-18 concentration with a medium effect size, correlated with decreased DMN-amygdala connectivity. There was a trend towards reduced anxiety, with no significant changes in quality of life. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effect of digital intervention on immune markers, clinical behavioral outcomes, and brain function, demonstrating positive synergistic potential across all three levels. These preliminary findings, which need replication in larger, controlled studies, have important implications for basic science and scalable digital interventions.