Figure 3

Deactivation of the DMN during emotion processing predicts early antidepressant response in MDD. Peak deactivation of a cluster within the precuneus and PCC (contrast EDT versus ODT, y axis) before start of antidepressant treatment predicted subsequent antidepressant response (absolute HAMD change, x axis) in regression analysis. The color spots denote individual patients with early symptom improvement (blue)=HAMD reduction⩾20%, early response (black)=HAMD reduction⩾50% and non-response (red)=HAMD reduction <20%, all after 2 weeks of Escitalopram treatment. Patients are dispersed along the line of regression with non-responders showing the least deactivation and responders the most deactivation of the precuneus and PCC, regions known to be part of the DMN.⁵¹ DMN, default mode network; EDT, emotion discrimination task (test condition); HAMD, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; MDD, major depressive disorder; ODT, object discrimination task (control condition); PCC, posterior cingulate cortex.