Increased FC is commonly interpreted as compensatory reallocation or dedifferentiation.43,44 The compensatory reallocation may be associated with an inflammatory effect in the early stage of MDD.45 In the early stage of the disease, proinflammatory cytokines (ie, interleukin-6) can activate the astrocytes and lead to hyperfunction (high metabolism and blood flow), which are present in increased regional activity and FC. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and major depressive disorder.