Precuneus-related regional and network functional deficits in social anxiety disorder: A resting-state functional MRI study

The precuneus, a ToM-related region, was altered at both the regional and network level in patients with SAD. Pathological fear and avoidance in SAD were correlated with abnormal regional function in the precuneus, whereas depression and anxiety were primarily correlated with functional deficits in the precuneus-related network. The altered FC within the precuneus-cerebellar region may reflect an imbalance in the neuromodulation of anxiety and depressive symptoms in SAD. These findings may facilitate a greater understanding of potential SAD neural substrates and could be used to identify potential targets for further treatment.