Trait Repetitive Negative Thinking in Depressed Individuals can be Predicted From Whole-Brain Functional Connectivity Patterns in a Negative Thinking State, not a Resting State

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT), a process of passive, repetitive, and evaluative focus on distressing thoughts, is often seen in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and predicts the onset and maintenance of symptoms. The underlying circuity of RNT in depression has been investigated primarily with fMRI resting-state functional connectivity (FC), although the findings have been inconsistent. This study investigated whether fMRI resting-state FC is predictive of the brooding rumination trait (RRS brooding [RRSB] score) of depressed individuals.