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Spoelma MJ, Serafimovska A, Parker G. Differentiating melancholic and non-melancholic depression via biological markers: A review. World J Biol Psychiatry 2023; 24:761-810. [PMID: 37259772 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2023.2219725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Melancholia is a severe form of depression that is typified by greater genetic and biological influence, distinct symptomatology, and preferential response to physical treatment. This paper sought to broadly overview potential biomarkers of melancholia to benefit differential diagnosis, clinical responses and treatment outcomes. Given nuances in distinguishing melancholia as its own condition from other depressive disorder, we emphasised studies directly comparing melancholic to non-melancholic depression. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted. Key studies were identified and summarised qualitatively. RESULTS 105 studies in total were identified. These studies covered a wide variety of biomarkers, and largely fell into three domains: endocrinological (especially cortisol levels, particularly in response to the dexamethasone suppression test), neurological, and immunological (particularly inflammatory markers). Less extensive evidence also exists for metabolic, genetic, and cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS Definitive conclusions were predominantly limited due to substantial heterogeneity in how included studies defined melancholia. Furthermore, this heterogeneity could be responsible for the between- and within-group variability observed in the candidate biomarkers that were examined. Therefore, clarifying these definitional parameters may help identify underlying patterns in biomarker expression to improve diagnostic and therapeutic precision for the depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Spoelma
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Gordon Parker
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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2
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Jiang Y, Zhang T, Zhang M, Xie X, Tian Y, Wang K, Bai T. Apathy in melancholic depression and abnormal neural activity within the reward-related circuit. Behav Brain Res 2023; 444:114379. [PMID: 36870397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a heterogeneous syndrome, of which the most common subtype is melancholic depression (MEL). Previous studies have indicated that anhedonia is frequently a cardinal feature in MEL. As a common syndrome of motivational deficit, anhedonia is closely associated with dysfunction in reward-related networks. However, little is currently known about apathy, another syndrome of motivational deficits, and the underlying neural mechanisms in MEL and non-melancholic depression (NMEL). Herein, the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) was used to compare apathy between MEL and NMEL. On the basis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, functional connectivity strength (FCS) and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) were calculated within reward-related networks and compared among 43 patients with MEL, 30 patients with NMEL, and 35 healthy controls. Patients with MEL had higher AES scores than those with NMEL (t = -2.20, P = 0.03). Relative to NMEL, MEL was associated with greater FCS (t = 4.27, P < 0.001) in the left ventral striatum (VS), and greater FC of the VS with the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (t = 5.03, P < 0.001) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (t = 3.18, P = 0.005). Taken together the results indicate that reward-related networks may play diverse pathophysiological roles in MEL and NMEL, thus providing potential directions for future interventions in the treatment of various depression subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Mengdan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaohui Xie
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Yanghua Tian
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Tongjian Bai
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei 230022, China.
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3
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Sharpley CF, Bitsika V, Shadli SM, Jesulola E, Agnew LL. EEG frontal lobe asymmetry as a function of sex, depression severity, and depression subtype. Behav Brain Res 2023; 443:114354. [PMID: 36801473 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
To investigate possible contributors to the inconsistent association between frontal lobe asymmetry (FLA) and depression, EEG data were collected across five frontal sites, and examined for their associations with four subtypes of depression (Depressed mood, Anhedonia, Cognitive depression, Somatic depression). One hundred community volunteers (54 males, 46 females) aged at least 18 yr completed standardized scales for depression and anxiety, and gave EEG data under Eyes Open and Eyes Closed conditions. Results indicated that, although there was no significant correlation between the differences in EEG power across each of the five pairs of frontal sites and total depression scores, there were several meaningful correlations (accounting for at least 10% of the variance) between specific EEG site differences data and each of the four depression subtypes. There were also different patterns of association between FLA and the depression subtypes according to sex, and total depression severity. These findings help to explain the apparent inconsistency in previous FLA-depression results, and argue for a more nuanced approach to this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Sharpley
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2350, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Vicki Bitsika
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2350, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shabah M Shadli
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2350, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Emmanuel Jesulola
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2350, New South Wales, Australia; Emmanuel Jesulola is now at Department of Neurosurgery, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Linda L Agnew
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Armidale 2350, New South Wales, Australia; Linda Agnew is now at Griffith University, Qld, Australia
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4
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Wang Y, Li C, Liu X, Peng D, Wu Y, Fang Y. P300 event-related potentials in patients with different subtypes of depressive disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1021365. [PMID: 36713910 PMCID: PMC9880031 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1021365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the differences in event-related potentials (ERPs) of the subclinical types of major depressive disorders (MDD): melancholic (MEL), atypical (ATY), and anxious (ANX). METHODS Patients with MDD treated in the Clinical Department of Shanghai Mental Health Center between September 2017 and December 2020 were prospectively included. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Mental Health Center. They were evaluated using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), 30-item Self-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-30SR), 16-item Quick Inventory of Negative Symptom Scale (QIDS-16SR), and auditory and visual P300 ERPs. RESULTS Finally, 27, 14, and 20 patients with MEL, ATY, and ANX MDD were included in this study, respectively. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics and HAMD-17, IDS-30SR, and QIDS-16SR total scores among the three groups (all P > 0.05). On the C3 lead, the latency for patients with MEL MDD was the longest, and the latency for patients with ATY MDD was the shortest (MEL vs. ATY vs. ANX: 373.89 ± 6.60 vs. 344.79 ± 9.78 vs. 359.33 ± 7.62, P = 0.039). On the Pz lead, the latency for patients with MEL MDD was the longest, and the latency for patients with ATY MDD was the shortest (MEL vs. ATY vs. ANX: 376.14 ± 6.51 vs. 347.21 ± 9.42 vs. 362.22 ± 8.63, P = 0.047). There were no differences in visual P300 ERPs among the three groups. CONCLUSION There are significant differences in auditory C3 and Pz latency among MEL, ATY, and ANX MDD. These differences could help diagnose the subtype of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Canxin Li
- The Third People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan Mental Health Center, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Daihui Peng
- Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiru Fang
- Division of Mood Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
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5
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Koller-Schlaud K, Querbach J, Behr J, Ströhle A, Rentzsch J. Test-Retest Reliability of Frontal and Parietal Alpha Asymmetry during Presentation of Emotional Face Stimuli in Healthy Subjects. Neuropsychobiology 2021; 79:428-436. [PMID: 32182618 DOI: 10.1159/000505783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Resting-state and event-related frontal alpha asymmetry have been suggested as potential neurobiological biomarkers for depression and other psychiatric conditions. To be used as such, sufficient test-retest reliability needs to be demonstrated. However, test-retest reliability is underinvestigated for event-related alpha asymmetry. The objective of this study was to examine both short-term within-session and long-term between-session reliability of stimulus-related medial and lateral frontal as well as parietal alpha EEG asymmetry in healthy subjects during a simple emotional face processing task. Twenty-three healthy adults participated in two sessions with a test-retest interval of about 1 week. Reliability was estimated with Pearson's correlation coefficient and paired t test. Results revealed moderate to high within-session reliability of stimulus-related alpha asymmetry for all electrode sites and both conditions. Alpha asymmetry mean values did not change significantly within sessions. Between-session reliability was fair for frontomedial and moderate for frontolateral stimulus-related asymmetry. Exploratory exclusion of subjects with unstable between-session self-rating scores of emotional state and empathy toward stimuli resulted in some higher reliability values. Our results indicate that stimulus-related alpha asymmetry may serve as a useful electrophysiological tool given its adequate within-session reliability. However, long-term stability of stimulus-related frontal alpha asymmetry over 1 week was comparatively low and varied depending on electrode position. Influencing state factors during EEG recording, such as current mood or stimulus engagement, should be considered in future study designs and analyses. Further, we recommend to analyze alpha asymmetry from both frontomedial and frontolateral sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Koller-Schlaud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Julia Querbach
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Behr
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany.,Faculty of Health Science Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Andreas Ströhle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Rentzsch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany, .,Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany,
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6
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Huber KB, Marsolek CJ. Do cerebral motivational asymmetries mediate the relationship between handedness and personality? Laterality 2021; 27:21-56. [PMID: 34238115 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2021.1942483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Handedness has long been tied to personality, but detailed explanations for the association are lacking. Importantly for purposes of theory development, measures of approach and withdrawal associated with Big Five personality traits have also been traced back to activity in brain areas that relate to handedness. Specifically, increased right-hemisphere frontal activity appears to be linked to both withdrawal motivation and left/inconsistent-handedness, while increased left-hemisphere frontal activity is associated with approach motivation and right/consistent-handedness. Cerebral motivational asymmetries therefore present one plausible mechanism by which approach and withdrawal motivation could mediate the relationship between handedness and personality. We tested this possibility in a large online study (N = 499) in which participants completed multiple survey measures. Results indicated that approach/withdrawal motivation partially accounts for relationships between handedness and personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie B Huber
- Psychological Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Chad J Marsolek
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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7
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Reward makes the rhythmic sampling of spatial attention emerge earlier. Atten Percept Psychophys 2021; 83:1522-1537. [PMID: 33442826 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-020-02226-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence demonstrates a rhythmic characteristic of spatial attention, with the corresponding behavioral performance fluctuating periodically. Here, we investigate whether and how the rhythmic characteristic of spatial attention is affected by reward-an important factor in attentional selection. We adopted the classic spatial cueing paradigm with a time-resolved stimulus-onset-asynchrony (SOA) between the spatial cue and the target such that responses to the target in different phases could be examined. The color of the spatial cue was associated with either a high or low level of reward. Results showed that in the low-frequency band (<2 Hz) where classic exogenous spatial attention effects (i.e., facilitation and inhibition of return; IOR) appeared, reward enhanced the late IOR effect through facilitating behavioral responses to the target at the uncued location. Recurring lower alpha power (alpha inhibition) which fluctuated in a low-theta frequency (2-3 Hz) was observed at the cued location relative to the uncued location, irrespective of the reward level of the cue. Importantly, the recurring alpha inhibition emerged earlier (~120 ms) in the high-reward condition relative to the low-reward condition. We propose that the recurring alpha inhibition at the cued location implies a recurring attention sampling at the cued location and the expectation of a high reward makes the periodic attention sampling emerge earlier.
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8
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Bruun CF, Arnbjerg CJ, Kessing LV. Electroencephalographic Parameters Differentiating Melancholic Depression, Non-melancholic Depression, and Healthy Controls. A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:648713. [PMID: 34489747 PMCID: PMC8417250 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.648713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The objective of this systematic review was to investigate whether electroencephalographic parameters can serve as a tool to distinguish between melancholic depression, non-melancholic depression, and healthy controls in adults. Methods: A systematic review comprising an extensive literature search conducted in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO in August 2020 with monthly updates until November 1st, 2020. In addition, we performed a citation search and scanned reference lists. Clinical trials that performed an EEG-based examination on an adult patient group diagnosed with melancholic unipolar depression and compared with a control group of non-melancholic unipolar depression and/or healthy controls were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed by the Strengthening of Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. Results: A total of 24 studies, all case-control design, met the inclusion criteria and could be divided into three subgroups: Resting state studies (n = 5), sleep EEG studies (n = 10), and event-related potentials (ERP) studies (n = 9). Within each subgroup, studies were characterized by marked variability on almost all levels, preventing pooling of data, and many studies were subject to weighty methodological problems. However, the main part of the studies identified one or several EEG parameters that differentiated the groups. Conclusions: Multiple EEG modalities showed an ability to distinguish melancholic patients from non-melancholic patients and/or healthy controls. The considerable heterogeneity across studies and the frequent methodological difficulties at the individual study level were the main limitations to this work. Also, the underlying premise of shifting diagnostic paradigms may have resulted in an inhomogeneous patient population. Systematic Review Registration: Registered in the PROSPERO registry on August 8th, 2020, registration number CRD42020197472.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Fussing Bruun
- Copenhagen Affective Disorder Research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Caroline Juhl Arnbjerg
- Department of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars Vedel Kessing
- Copenhagen Affective Disorder Research Center (CADIC), Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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EEG Frontal Asymmetry and Theta Power in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression. J Affect Disord 2020; 276:501-510. [PMID: 32871681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Distinguishing between unipolar and bipolar depression is of high clinical relevance. However, there is sparse research directly comparing these groups in terms of EEG activity. METHOD We investigated 87 participants' left and right EEG frontal alpha-1, alpha-2, and theta activity related to happy and sad face stimuli in unipolar (UD, n=33) and bipolar (BD, n=22) depressed participants, and controls without depression (HC, n=32). RESULTS Post-hoc analysis of an observed hemisphere x group interaction (p< .037) showed significant differences in alpha-1 asymmetry only for the comparison of UD and HC (p< .006). Further analysis of a significant emotion x group interaction (p= .001) revealed a differential impact of stimulus valence on theta power between the groups (p< .001). The valence dependent theta power of the BD differed from that of the UD (p< .0002) and the HC (p< .004). Alpha-1 asymmetry classified HC and both depressed groups with an accuracy of .69. Valence-related theta classified BD from UD with an accuracy of .83. Leave-one-out cross validation resulted in slightly reduced accuracy. LIMITATIONS Important limitations were the small sample size and that subjects were not medication-free. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the value of simple, task related EEG activity for differentiating not only healthy individuals from those with depression, but also individuals with unipolar depression from those with bipolar depression.
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10
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Papousek I, Wimmer S, Lackner HK, Schulter G, Perchtold CM, Paechter M. Trait positive affect and students’ prefrontal EEG alpha asymmetry responses during a simulated exam situation. Biol Psychol 2019; 148:107762. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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11
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Wimmer S, Lackner HK, Papousek I, Paechter M. Goal Orientations and Activation of Approach Versus Avoidance Motivation While Awaiting an Achievement Situation in the Laboratory. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1552. [PMID: 30210395 PMCID: PMC6121194 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While some students try to give their best in an achievement situation, others show disengagement and just want to get the situation over and done with. The present study investigates the role of students' tendencies for approach or avoidance motivation while anticipating tasks and the corresponding activation of the approach/avoidance motivational system as indicated by transient changes of EEG alpha asymmetry. Overall, 62 students (50 female; age: M = 23.8, SD = 3.5) completed a goal orientation questionnaire (learning goals, performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and work avoidance). They joined a laboratory experiment where EEG was recorded during resting condition as well as when students were anticipating tasks. Standard multiple regression analysis showed that higher values on performance-avoidance were related to a higher activation of the approach system whereas higher values on work avoidance were related to a higher activation of the avoidance system. Results question present assumptions about avoidance related goal orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Wimmer
- Educational Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Helmut K. Lackner
- Section of Physiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ilona Papousek
- Biological Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Manuela Paechter
- Educational Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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12
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Papousek I, Weiss EM, Perchtold CM, Weber H, de Assunção VL, Schulter G, Lackner HK, Fink A. The capacity for generating cognitive reappraisals is reflected in asymmetric activation of frontal brain regions. Brain Imaging Behav 2018; 11:577-590. [PMID: 26935554 PMCID: PMC5408052 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-016-9537-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Encouraging patients to use cognitive reappraisal constitutes the core of modern psychotherapeutic approaches. However, evidence for specific neural correlates of the capacity for cognitive reappraisal, which is a necessary prerequisite for the effective implementation of cognitive reappraisal in everyday life, has been sparse to date. In the present study, the capacity for cognitive reappraisal was studied in terms of the participants’ inventiveness in generating alternative appraisals of anger-evoking events, and was correlated with frontal EEG alpha asymmetry recorded while the participants were generating reappraisals as well as during a common creative idea generation task. During cognitive reappraisal efforts, individuals higher on the capacity for generating cognitive reappraisals showed more left-lateralized activity in lateral prefrontal cortex, specifically in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex extending toward the frontal pole. This effect was observed independently from the activation during novel idea generation without emotional component, indicating that specific demands are implicated in the generation of reappraisals of emotional events. Taken together, the results indicate that individuals higher on the capacity for cognitive reappraisal are more capable or more prone to recruit appropriate brain regions when the situation demands coming up with alternative appraisals of stressful events. The findings may stimulate the development of more individually targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Papousek
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Elisabeth M Weiss
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Corinna M Perchtold
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hannelore Weber
- Department of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Günter Schulter
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Helmut K Lackner
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Fink
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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13
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Papousek I, Aydin N, Rominger C, Feyaerts K, Schmid-Zalaudek K, Lackner HK, Fink A, Schulter G, Weiss EM. DSM-5 personality trait domains and withdrawal versus approach motivational tendencies in response to the perception of other people’s desperation and angry aggression. Biol Psychol 2018; 132:106-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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14
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Jesulola E, Sharpley CF, Agnew LL. The effects of gender and depression severity on the association between alpha asymmetry and depression across four brain regions. Behav Brain Res 2016; 321:232-239. [PMID: 28042006 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Data describing the association between EEG asymmetry and depression status have been equivocal. Effects from brain regions involved, depression severity, and the generalisability of findings across genders, have been inconsistently examined and/or verified. This study investigated these issues within a community sample to potentially expand the asymmetry hypothesis to non-severe depression participants. The singular effects of brain region and electrode site, gender, and depression severity, plus the interaction between gender and depression severity across brain regions were investigated in a study of alpha asymmetry among 46 males and 54 females (M age=32.5 yr, SD=14.13 yr) using the Self-rating Depression Scale (Zung, 1973). There was no significant difference across genders or age for depression severity. Dichotomous classification of depressed state produced similar but slightly different results from analysis of the whole range of depression status, although the frontal region was the only area where depression was consistently significantly associated with EEG asymmetry, and then only for females. However, the direction of those differences for females was opposite of that predicted by the EEG asymmetry-depression hypothesis. Several methodological issues that may have contributed to these findings are discussed, with suggestions made for future research that focusses upon individual depression symptom profiles rather than dichotomous or total depression scores in order to assist in developing a clinically-relevant model of EEG asymmetry in depressed persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Jesulola
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia
| | - Christopher F Sharpley
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia.
| | - Linda L Agnew
- Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia
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Prause N, Siegle GJ, Deblieck C, Wu A, Iacoboni M. EEG to Primary Rewards: Predictive Utility and Malleability by Brain Stimulation. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165646. [PMID: 27902711 PMCID: PMC5130195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is thought to affect reward processing mechanisms, which may increase and decrease reward sensitivity. To test the ability of TBS to modulate response to strong primary rewards, participants hypersensitive to primary rewards were recruited. Twenty men and women with at least two opposite-sex, sexual partners in the last year received two forms of TBS. Stimulations were randomized to avoid order effects and separated by 2 hours to reduce carryover. The two TBS forms have been demonstrated to inhibit (continuous) or excite (intermittent) the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using different pulse patterns, which links to brain areas associated with reward conditioning. After each TBS, participants completed tasks assessing their reward responsiveness to monetary and sexual rewards. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. They also reported their number of orgasms in the weekend following stimulation. This signal was malleable by TBS, where excitatory TBS resulted in lower EEG alpha relative to inhibitory TBS to primary rewards. EEG responses to sexual rewards in the lab (following both forms of TBS) predicted the number of orgasms experienced over the forthcoming weekend. TBS may be useful in modifying hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to primary rewards that predict sexual behaviors. Since TBS altered the anticipation of a sexual reward, TBS may offer a novel treatment for sexual desire problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Prause
- Department of Psychiatry; University of California;Los Angeles, CA
- * E-mail:
| | - Greg J. Siegle
- Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Choi Deblieck
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Allan Wu
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Marco Iacoboni
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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Abstract
Blunted reward response appears to be a trait-like marker of vulnerability for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). As such, it should be present in remitted individuals; however, depression is a heterogeneous syndrome. Reward-related impairments may be more pronounced in individuals with melancholic depression. The present study examined neural responses to rewards in remitted melancholic depression (rMD; N = 29), remitted non-melancholic depression (rNMD; N = 56), and healthy controls (HC; N = 81). Event-related potentials to monetary gain and loss were recorded during a simple gambling paradigm. rMD was characterized by a blunted response to rewards relative to both the HC and the rNMD groups, who did not differ from one another. Moreover, the rMD and rNMD groups did not differ in course or severity of their past illnesses, or current depressive symptoms or functioning. Results suggest that blunted response to rewards may be a viable vulnerability marker for melancholic depression.
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Liu H, Sarapas C, Shankman SA. Anticipatory reward deficits in melancholia. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2016; 125:631-40. [PMID: 27175986 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunctional reward processing has long been considered an important feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, depression is a heterogeneous construct and the nature of this heterogeneity may contribute to some of the inconsistent empirical findings on reward dysfunction in MDD. The current study examined 1 source of heterogeneity, melancholic symptoms, and its association with reward processing. In individuals with MDD (N = 141) and MDD-free controls (N = 113), electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha asymmetry was measured during a behavioral reward task that probed reward anticipation. Melancholic depression was measured both categorically (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM] diagnosis) and dimensionally (Hamilton Endogenomorphy Scale [HES]). Results showed that a dimensional (and not categorical) definition of melancholia predicted reward processing, with higher melancholic symptoms predicting reduced reward anticipation. Importantly, the effects of melancholic symptoms on reduced reward anticipation remained above and beyond overall depression severity. These results suggest that dysfunctional reward processing may only be associated with melancholic symptoms, not depression in general. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Liu
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Casey Sarapas
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
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18
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Jesulola E, Sharpley CF, Bitsika V, Agnew LL, Wilson P. Frontal alpha asymmetry as a pathway to behavioural withdrawal in depression: Research findings and issues. Behav Brain Res 2015; 292:56-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Fletcher K, Parker G, Paterson A, Fava M, Iosifescu D, Pizzagalli DA. Anhedonia in melancholic and non-melancholic depressive disorders. J Affect Disord 2015; 184:81-8. [PMID: 26074016 PMCID: PMC4519400 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anhedonia represents a core symptom of major depression and may be a potential marker for melancholia. However, current understanding of this construct in depressive sub-types is limited. METHOD Participants were recruited from the Black Dog Institute (Sydney) and Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston). Diagnostic groups were derived on the basis of agreement between clinician and DSM-IV diagnosis from structured interviews. Currently depressed unipolar melancholic, non-melancholic and healthy control participants were administered a probabilistic reward task (PRT) to assess a behavioural correlate of anhedonia-blunted reward-based learning. Self-reported measures of anhedonia, approach and avoidance motivation were completed by the Sydney sample. RESULTS Relative to healthy controls and non-melancholic participants, melancholic depressed participants had reduced response bias, highlighting blunted reward learning. Moreover, although non-melancholic participants were characterized by a delayed response bias, melancholic depressed participants failed to develop a bias throughout blocks. Response bias showed no associations with self-report measures of hedonic tone in depressed participants. Positive associations were observed between response bias, approach and avoidance motivation in non-melancholic participants only. LIMITATIONS Possible medication, fatigue and anxiety effects were not controlled; small sample sizes; inclusion criteria may have excluded those with severe melancholia and led to underestimation of group differences. CONCLUSIONS Melancholia is characterised by a reduced ability to modulate behaviour as a function of reward, and the motivational salience of rewarding stimuli may differ across depressive sub-types. Results support the view that melancholia is a distinct sub-type. Further exploration of reward system functioning in depressive sub-types is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Fletcher
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia; Black Dog Institute, NSW, Australia; Centre for Psychological and Relationship Counselling, VIC, Australia.
| | - Gordon Parker
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia,Black Dog Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Amelia Paterson
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia,Black Dog Institute, NSW, Australia
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Diego A. Pizzagalli
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
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Abstract
The fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 defines mental disorders as syndromes and also introduced disorder "specifiers" with the aim of providing increased diagnostic specificity by defining more homogeneous subgroups of those with the disorder and who share certain features. While the majority of specifiers in DSM-5 define a specific aspect of the disorder such as age at onset or severity, some define syndromes that appear to meet the DSM-5 definition of a mental disorder. Specifically, melancholia is positioned in DSM-5 as a major depressive disorder (non-coded) specifier, while catatonia is listed as both a disorder secondary to a medical condition and as a specifier associated with other mental disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. Despite decades of research supporting melancholia's status as a categorical "disorder" (a higher-order construct than a specifier), failure to provide convincing support for its disorder status has contributed to its current positioning in DSM-5. As DSM-5 has similar symptom criteria for major depression and for its melancholia specifier, research seeking to differentiate melancholic and non-melancholic depression according to DSM-5 criteria will have limited capacity to demonstrate "melancholia" as a separate disorder and risks melancholia continuing to be reified as a low-order specifier and thus clinical marginalization. There have been few advances in catatonia research in recent years with its positioning largely relying on opinion and clinical observation rather than on empirical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Parker
- University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, Australia,
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Papousek I, Weiss EM, Schulter G, Fink A, Reiser EM, Lackner HK. Prefrontal EEG alpha asymmetry changes while observing disaster happening to other people: Cardiac correlates and prediction of emotional impact. Biol Psychol 2014; 103:184-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2013] [Revised: 07/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Katz AC, Sarapas C, Bishop JR, Patel SR, Shankman SA. The mediating effect of prefrontal asymmetry on the relationship between the COMT Val(158)Met SNP and trait consummatory positive affect. Cogn Emot 2014; 29:867-81. [PMID: 25195915 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2014.951030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The Val(158)Met rs4680 polymorphism in the COMT gene regulates dopamine catabolism in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Dopamine's involvement in reward experience suggests those with the methionine (Met) variant may exhibit trait-level sensitivity to reward due to more post-synaptic dopamine in the PFC. A physiological mediator of this association may be greater relative left asymmetry in the PFC, a putative biomarker for trait positive emotionality. Electroencephalograms of 120 participants were measured during a task that assesses two aspects of reward processing: pre-reward anticipation and post-reward consummatory affect. Participants provided genetics samples and completed the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), which assesses trait-level anticipatory and consummatory positive affect. Met carriers had higher TEPS-Consummatory scores. This effect was mediated by greater relative left activation in the post-reward phase of the task. No effects were observed for the pre-reward phase. Results suggest that frontal asymmetry is an endophenotype between COMT genotype and trait reward responsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C Katz
- a Department of Psychology , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
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23
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To overview historical ascriptions and the current nosological status of melancholia, before reporting diagnostic strategy, biological marker and treatment studies. RECENT FINDINGS As melancholia has never been satisfactorily differentiated by reliance on symptoms, strategies that adopt a more prototypic approach and incorporate illness correlates in conjunction with symptoms appear to provide greater precision in differentiating melancholic and nonmelancholic depression. An early indicative biological marker--hyperactive Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis functioning--remains supported, whereas a number of other recently proposed candidate markers require clarification. Implications for treatment from recent clinical trials are also discussed. SUMMARY We note that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) definition of melancholia [as for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV)] may be limited in its differentiating capacity and so compromise research into melancholia's causes and treatments. Clarifying melancholia's status, primary causes and differential treatment responsiveness awaits more precise definition of this depressive condition.
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Papousek I, Reiser EM, Schulter G, Fink A, Holmes EA, Niederstätter H, Nagl S, Parson W, Weiss EM. Serotonin transporter genotype (5-HTTLPR) and electrocortical responses indicating the sensitivity to negative emotional cues. Emotion 2013; 13:1173-81. [PMID: 24040881 PMCID: PMC3948098 DOI: 10.1037/a0033997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Growing literature indicates that emotional reactivity and regulation are strongly linked to genetic modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission. However, until now, most studies have focused on the relationship between genotypic markers, in particular the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR), and neural structures using MRI. The current study aimed to bridge the gap between the relevant MRI literature on the effects of the 5-HTTLPR genotype and the research tradition focusing on transient lateralized changes of electrocortical activity in the prefrontal cortex using electroencephalography (EEG). Lateral shifts of EEG alpha asymmetry in response to an aversive film consisting of scenes of real injury and death were assessed in healthy participants (n = 165). To evaluate the specificity of the 5-HTTLPR effect, participants were also tested for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism which is linked to dopamine inactivation. While viewing the film, individuals homozygous for the 5-HTTLPR short allele displayed a clear lateral shift of dorsolateral frontal activity to the right, which was virtually absent in participants carrying the long allele. The heightened electrocortical response to the aversive stimulation and its direction indicates a greater propensity of s/s homozygotes to experience withdrawal oriented affect in response to negative emotion cues in the environment. Moreover, together with previous research the findings support the notion of a link between the serotonergic system and self-regulation related to avoidance motivation, and a link between the dopaminergic system and self-regulation related to approach motivation.
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Ho N, Sommers M. Anhedonia: a concept analysis. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2013; 27:121-9. [PMID: 23706888 PMCID: PMC3664836 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Revised: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Anhedonia presents itself in a myriad of disease processes. To further develop our understanding of anhedonia and effective ways to manage it, the concept requires clear boundaries. This paper critically examined the current scientific literature and conducted a concept analysis of anhedonia to provide a more accurate and lucid understanding of the concept. As part of the concept analysis, this paper also provides model, borderline, related, and contrary examples of anhedonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Ho
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Papousek I, Schulter G, Weiss EM, Samson AC, Freudenthaler HH, Lackner HK. Frontal brain asymmetry and transient cardiovascular responses to the perception of humor. Biol Psychol 2012; 93:114-21. [PMID: 23274171 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Revised: 11/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The study examined the relationship of individual differences in prefrontal brain asymmetry, measured by the EEG in resting conditions, to the individual's responsivity in the context of humor (n=42). Several weeks after the EEG recording, immediate cardiovascular responses to the perception of humor and behavioral indicators of humor processing were obtained in an experimental paradigm involving non-verbal cartoons. Relatively greater resting activity in the left than right prefrontal cortex, particularly at the ventrolateral positions, was associated with faster detection of humor, a more pronounced cardiac response to the perception of humor (heart rate and cardiac output), and more accessible internal positive affective states (indicated by faster reports of amusement levels). The study confirms and extends findings of the relevance of prefrontal brain asymmetry to affective responsivity, contributing evidence in the domain of positive affect and humor, and demonstrating relationships to the immediate cardiovascular response pattern to an emotional event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Papousek
- Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology Unit, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
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27
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Maller JJ, Thomson RHS, Pannek K, Rose SE, Bailey N, Lewis PM, Fitzgerald PB. The (Eigen)value of diffusion tensor imaging to investigate depression after traumatic brain injury. Hum Brain Mapp 2012; 35:227-37. [PMID: 23008175 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many people with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), even mild to moderate, will develop major depression (MD). Recent studies of patients with MD suggest reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), temporal lobe tracts, midline, and capsule regions. Some of these pathways have also been found to have reduced FA in patients with TBI. It is unknown whether the pathways implicated in MD after TBI are similar to those with MD without TBI. This study sought to investigate whether there were specific pathways unique to TBI patients who develop MD. METHODS A sample of TBI-MD subjects (N = 14), TBI-no-MD subjects (N = 12), MD-no-TBI (N = 26), and control subjects (no TBI or MD, N = 23), using a strict measurement protocol underwent psychiatric assessments and diffusion tensor brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). RESULTS The findings of this study indicate that (1) TBI patients who develop MD have reduced axial diffusivity in DLPFC, corpus callosum (CC), and nucleus accumbens white matter tracts compared to TBI patients who do not develop MD and (2) MD patients without a history of TBI have reduced FA along the CC. We also found that more severe MD relates to altered radial diffusivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that compromise to specific white matter pathways, including both axonal and myelination aspects, after a mild TBI underlie the susceptibility of these patients developing MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome J Maller
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred & Monash University School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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