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Increased resting-state brain entropy (BEN) in mild-to-moderate depression was decreased by cognitive-behavioral therapy and neurofeedback

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Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Increased resting-state brain entropy (BEN) in mild-to-moderate depression was decreased by cognitive-behavioral therapy and neurofeedback.

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Study at a glance

Area
Depression & Mood
Study type
Controlled study
Authors
Song D, Liu P, Ma X, Chang D, Zhang X, Wang Y, Wang Z
Journal
Psychiatry Research. Neuroimaging
Year
2026
Participants
49 (14 treated: 8 CBT, 6 neurofeedback; 15 untreated; 20 healthy controls)
Population
Adults
Protocol
Real-time fMRI neurofeedback or CBT
Equipment
fMRI

Key findings

  • Patients had higher brain entropy than controls in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, amygdala/putamen and hippocampus
  • The treated group showed lower entropy in all of these regions and lower Beck Depression scores
  • Untreated patients showed no significant change
  • Brain entropy may serve as an exploratory marker for tracking treatment

DOI 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2026.112365 → PubMed 42976668 →

This study reanalysed public brain-scan data from medication-free adults with mild-to-moderate depression, some of whom received cognitive-behavioural therapy or real-time fMRI neurofeedback. Before treatment, patients showed more irregular resting activity (higher 'brain entropy') than healthy people in prefrontal and limbic areas. After treatment, this measure fell and depression scores dropped, while untreated patients did not change. The treatment groups were very small, and the two therapies were analysed together.