rMDD group
MDD, manic, Axis I Disorders, psychiatric
DISORDER, DISORDERS, BRAIN, MAY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE, REMISSION
All patients were hospitalized in the Department of Medical Psychology, Nanjing Brain Hospital, which is affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, between October 2015 and May 2018. Participants were enrolled in the study within a week of meeting its criteria. Patients who met termination criteria were screened out during follow-up. All participants were treated pharmaceutically and such treatments were maintained during remission. All assessments and diagnoses were verified by two psychiatrists.The inclusion criteria included the following: (1) met standard MDD clinical criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV-TR (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Patient Edition) and had reached the standard for clinical cure (score < 7 on the 17-item HAMD for at least two weeks) after antidepressant treatment; (2) were aged 18–55 years; (3) were right-hand dominant; and (4) were voluntary participants who had signed informed consent.The exclusion criteria were: (1) comorbid severe physical or infectious disease; (2) other psychiatric disorder; (3) electroconvulsive therapy or modified electroconvulsive therapy during hospitalization and/or systematic psychotherapy during treatment; (4) drug and/or alcohol dependence; and (5) contraindication for MRI.The termination criteria were: (1) voluntarily stopping medication(s); (2) relapse or manic episode; (3) reluctance to continue; and (4) experiencing a serious life change during follow-up.