Maladaptive thinking patterns in depression

Depression is amongst the most burdensome disorders world-wide because it is a common disorder with frequent relapses.

Relapse risk is increased by maladaptive thinking patterns such as rumination and helplessness, and by antidepressant discontinuation, which in turn increases maladaptive thinking patterns. Maladaptive thinking patterns shape emotions and are influenced by emotions. However, we do not know the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these interactions.

First, I propose to study this by measuring maladaptive thinking patterns directly using a decoding approach to magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG decoding reveals fast sequences of stimulus representations during tasks.

These sequences can then be compared to computational models to understand the algorithms the brain uses to prioritize information processing.

Maladaptive thinking patterns are targeted by psychotherapeutic interventions and are sensitive to serotonergic manipulations.

I will examine how psychotherapeutic interventions influence the interaction between thoughts and emotions, and how an acute reduction in serotonin through tryptophan depletion affects them.

The latter study will be performed in remitted depression and allow us to test whether the mechanisms are involved in subsequent relapses.

Overall, I aim to provide a comprehensive account of how objectively-measured thought processes relate to emotions and to the prevention of depression relapses.