Brain connectivity correlates of the impact of a digital intervention for individuals with subjective cognitive decline on depression and IL-18.
Scientific reports February 26, 2025 Merav Catalogna, Ya'Ira Somerville, Nira Saporta et al. 6 citations
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.