Journal article
Reduced mind-wandering and fewer depressive symptoms associated with damage to the medial prefrontal cortex and default mode network
Neuropsychologia, Vol.214, 109168
07/29/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109168
PMCID: PMC12138906
PMID: 40350145
Abstract
Depressive disorders have been consistently associated with elevated levels of mind-wandering and self-focused negative rumination. Separate tracks of research have implicated brain structures within the default mode network (DMN) in both mind-wandering and depression. In this study, we hypothesized that diminished mind-wandering and fewer depressive symptoms would co-occur in individuals with damage to the DMN. To test this hypothesis, we used a k-means clustering algorithm to identify a target group of patients with reduced mind-wandering and fewer depressive symptoms relative to brain-damaged comparison subjects (n = 37 of 68; ps < 0.001). The anatomical localization of lesions for this target group was predominantly within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Structural and functional lesion network mapping results revealed that lesions of the target group had significantly greater connectivity with DMN and limbic regions. Taken together, these results suggest that brain injury affecting the mPFC and DMN is associated with both reduced mind-wandering and fewer depressive symptoms. Further investigation of neuroanatomical substrates that mediate a causal relationship between mind-wandering and mood may facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets for neuromodulation in patients with disorders characterized by maladaptive mind-wandering, such as rumination.
•We examined whether damage to the DMN would affect both mind-wandering and mood•Clustering analysis identified a target group with reduced mind-wandering and depression•Target group had mPFC damage and greater connectivity with DMN and limbic regions•Results could inform therapeutic targets for disorders with maladaptive mind-wandering
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Reduced mind-wandering and fewer depressive symptoms associated with damage to the medial prefrontal cortex and default mode network
- Creators
- Carissa L. Philippi - University of Missouri–St. LouisJoel Bruss - University of IowaCarrie Shea - University of IowaNicholas Trapp - University of IowaDaniel Tranel - University of IowaAaron D. Boes - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, Iowa 52242, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Neuropsychologia, Vol.214, 109168
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109168
- PMID
- 40350145
- PMCID
- PMC12138906
- NLM abbreviation
- Neuropsychologia
- ISSN
- 0028-3932
- eISSN
- 1873-3514
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Grant note
- National Institute of Health: P50 MH0942581, R01 NS114405 Kiwanis Neurosci-ence Research Foundation
This research was partially supported by the National Institute of Health (P50 MH0942581, R01 NS114405) and the Kiwanis Neurosci-ence Research Foundation. We recognize the important contributions of the participants in making this research possible.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/09/2025
- Date published
- 07/29/2025
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Neurology; Psychiatry; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurology (Pediatrics)
- Record Identifier
- 9984823073702771
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