Data-Driven Approach to Dynamic Resting State Functional Connectivity in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder : An ENIGMA-PGC PTSD Study

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been associated with aberrations in brain networks in the absence of a given cognitive demand or task, called resting-state networks. Prior work has focused on disruption in the static functional connectivity (FC) among specific regions constrained by a priori hypotheses. However, dynamic FC, an approach that examines brain network characteristics over time, may provide a more sensitive measure to understand the network properties underlying dysfunction in PTSD. Further, using a data-driven analytic approach may reveal the contribution of other larger network disturbances beyond those revealed by hypothesis-driven examinations of ROIs or canonical networks.

Therefore, the current study used group independent components analysis (ICA) and graph theory principles to identify, characterize, and subsequently compare brain network dynamics and recurrent connectivity states in a large sample of trauma exposed individuals (N = 1035) with and without PTSD from the ENIGMA-PGC PTSD workgroup. Neither static FC nor dynamic FC results showed robust differences between groups. There were also no group differences in dwell time or number of transitions of recurrent connectivity states. This multi-cohort sample with heterogenous trauma types and demographic features offers a significantly larger scale approach than prior literature with smaller homogenous trauma cohorts. Heterogeneity of PTSD, especially within diffuse brain networks, may not be captured by evaluating only diagnostic groups, further work should be done to evaluate brain network dynamics with respect to specific symptom profiles and trauma types.