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Tang M, Zhang L, Zhou Z, Cao L, Gao Y, Wang Y, Li H, Hu X, Bao W, Liang K, Kuang W, Sweeney JA, Gong Q, Huang X. Divergent effects of sex on hippocampal subfield alterations in drug-naive patients with major depressive disorder. J Affect Disord 2024; 354:173-180. [PMID: 38492647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hippocampus is a crucial brain structure in etiological models of major depressive disorder (MDD). It remains unclear whether sex differences in the incidence and symptoms of MDD are related to differential illness-associated brain alterations, including alterations in the hippocampus. This study investigated divergent the effects of sex on hippocampal subfield alterations in drug-naive patients with MDD. METHODS High-resolution structural MR images were obtained from 144 drug-naive individuals with MDD early in their illness course and 135 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Hippocampal subfields were segmented using FreeSurfer software and analyzed in terms of both histological subfields (CA1-4, dentate gyrus, etc.) and more integrative larger functional subregions (head, body and tail). RESULTS We observed a significant overall reduction in hippocampal volume in MDD patients, with deficits more prominent deficits in the posterior hippocampus. Differences in anatomic alterations between male and female patients were observed in the CA1-head, presubiculum-body and fimbria in the left hemisphere. Exploratory analyses revealed different patterns of clinical and memory function correlations with histological subfields and functional subregions between male and female patients primarily in the hippocampal head and body. LIMITATIONS This cross-sectional study cannot clarify the causality of hippocampal alterations or their association with illness risk or onset. CONCLUSIONS These findings represent the first reported sex-specific alterations in hippocampal histological subfields in patients with MDD early in the illness course prior to treatment. Sex-specific hippocampal alterations may contribute to diverse sex differences in the clinical presentation of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyue Tang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Lianqing Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Zilin Zhou
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingxiao Cao
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingxue Gao
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Hailong Li
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyue Hu
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Weijie Bao
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaili Liang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Weihong Kuang
- Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoqi Huang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China.
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Yang Y, Fu S, Jiang G, Xu G, Tian J, Ma X. Functional connectivity changes of the hippocampal subregions in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. Brain Imaging Behav 2024; 18:686-697. [PMID: 38363500 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-024-00852-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The hippocampus plays an important role in the pathophysiological mechanism of Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis. Nevertheless, the connection between the resting-state activity of the hippocampal subregions and neuropsychiatric disorders in patients remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the changes in functional connectivity (FC) in the hippocampal subregions of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and its association with clinical symptoms and cognitive performance. Twenty-three patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 23 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans and completed clinical cognitive scales. Based on the Brainnetome Atlas, the rostral (anterior) and caudal (posterior) hippocampi of both the left and right hemispheres were selected as regions of interest (ROIs) for FC analysis. First, a one-sample t-test was used to observe the whole-brain connectivity distribution of hippocampal subregions within the patient and HC groups at a threshold of p < 0.05. The two-sample t-test was used to compare the differences in hippocampal ROIs connectivity between groups, followed by a partial correlation analysis between the FC values of brain regions with statistical differences and clinical variables. This study observed that the distribution of whole-brain functional connectivity in the rostral and caudal hippocampi aligned with the connectivity differences between the anterior and posterior hippocampi. Compared to the HC group, the patients showed significantly decreased FC between the bilateral rostral hippocampus and the left inferior orbitofrontal gyrus and between the right rostral hippocampus and the right cerebellum. However, a significant increase in FC was observed between the right rostral hippocampus and left superior temporal gyrus, the left caudal hippocampus and right superior frontal gyrus, and the right caudal hippocampus and left gyrus rectus. Partial correlation analysis showed that FC between the left inferior orbitofrontal gyrus and the right rostral hippocampus was significantly negatively correlated with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT) scores. The FC between the right rostral hippocampus and the left superior temporal gyrus was negatively correlated with BVMT scores. FC abnormalities in the hippocampal subregions of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were associated with cognitive impairment, emotional changes, and seizures. These results may help explain the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical manifestations of anti-NMDAR encephalitis and NMDAR dysfunction-related diseases such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Yang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medial University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong province, PR China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Road Xingang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Shishun Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Road Xingang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Guihua Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Road Xingang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Guang Xu
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No.466 Road Xingang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Junzhang Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Road Xingang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaofen Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, No. 466 Road Xingang, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China.
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Lv S, Zhang G, Huang Y, Zhong X, Yi Y, Lu Y, Li J, Ma Y, Teng J. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis: pharmacological mechanisms of antidepressant active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1307746. [PMID: 38152691 PMCID: PMC10751940 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1307746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is characterized by prominent indicators and manifestations, such as anhedonia, which refers to the inability to experience pleasure, and persistent feelings of hopelessness. In clinical practice, the primary treatment approach involves the utilization of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related pharmacological interventions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that these agents are associated with significant adverse effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) adopts a multifaceted approach, targeting diverse components, multiple targets, and various channels of action. TCM has potential antidepressant effects. Anomalies in adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) constitute a pivotal factor in the pathology of depression, with the regulation of AHN emerging as a potential key measure to intervene in the pathogenesis and progression of this condition. This comprehensive review presented an overview of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of active ingredients found in TCM. Through examination of recent studies, we explored how these ingredients modulated AHN. Furthermore, we critically assessed the current limitations of research in this domain and proposed novel strategies for preclinical investigation and clinical applications in the treatment of depression in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Lv
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Guangheng Zhang
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Zhong
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yunhao Yi
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yitong Lu
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jiamin Li
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuexiang Ma
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Teng
- Department of First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Newell AJ, Patisaul HB. Developmental organophosphate flame retardant exposure disrupts adult hippocampal neurogenesis in Wistar rats. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:104-114. [PMID: 37783313 PMCID: PMC10842265 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphate flame retardant (OPFR) contamination is ubiquitous and bio-monitoring studies have shown that human exposure is widespread and may be unavoidable. OPFRs bear structural similarities to known neurotoxicants such as organophosphate insecticides and have been shown to have both endocrine disrupting and developmental neurotoxic effects. The perinatal period in rodents represents a critical period in the organization of the developing nervous system and insults during this time can impart profound changes on the trajectory of neural development and function, lasting into adulthood. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) facilitates dentate gyrus function and broader hippocampal circuit activity in adults; however, the neurogenic potential of this process in adulthood is vulnerable to disruption by exogenous factors during early life. We sought to assess the impact of OPFRs on AHN in offspring of dams exposed during gestation and lactation. Results indicate that developmental OPFR exposure has significant, sex specific impacts on multiple markers of AHN in the dentate gyrus of rats. In males, OPFR exposure significantly reduced the number of neural progenitors the number of new/immature neurons and reduced dentate gyrus volume. In females, exposure increased the number of neural progenitors, decreased the number of new/immature neurons, but had no significant effect on dentate gyrus volume. These results further elucidate the developmental neurotoxic properties of OPFRs, emphasize the long-term impact of early life OPFR exposure on neural processes, and highlight the importance of including sex as a biological variable in neurotoxicology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Newell
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Petzi M, Singh S, Trappenberg T, Nunes A. Mechanisms of Sustained Increases in γ Power Post-Ketamine in a Computational Model of the Hippocampal CA3: Implications for Ketamine's Antidepressant Mechanism of Action. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1562. [PMID: 38002522 PMCID: PMC10670117 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine increase γ oscillation power in neural activity measured using electroencephalography (EEG), and this effect lasts several hours after ketamine administration. The mechanisms underlying this effect are unknown. Using a computational model of the hippocampal cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) network, which is known to reproduce ketamine's acute effects on γ power, we simulated the plasticity of glutamatergic synapses in pyramidal cells to test which of the following hypotheses would best explain this sustained γ power: the direct inhibition hypothesis, which proposes that increased γ power post-ketamine administration may be caused by the potentiation of recurrent collateral synapses, and the disinhibition hypothesis, which proposes that potentiation affects synapses from both recurrent and external inputs. Our results suggest that the strengthening of external connections to pyramidal cells is able to account for the sustained γ power increase observed post-ketamine by increasing the overall activity of and synchrony between pyramidal cells. The strengthening of recurrent pyramidal weights, however, would cause an additional phase shifted voltage increase that ultimately reduces γ power due to partial cancellation. Our results therefore favor the disinhibition hypothesis for explaining sustained γ oscillations after ketamine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Petzi
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.P.); (T.T.)
| | - Selena Singh
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada;
| | - Thomas Trappenberg
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.P.); (T.T.)
| | - Abraham Nunes
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; (M.P.); (T.T.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4K3, Canada
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Zavaliangos-Petropulu A, McClintock SM, Joshi SH, Taraku B, Al-Sharif NB, Espinoza RT, Narr KL. Hippocampal subfield volumes in treatment resistant depression and serial ketamine treatment. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1227879. [PMID: 37876623 PMCID: PMC10590913 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1227879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Subanesthetic ketamine is a rapidly acting antidepressant that has also been found to improve neurocognitive performance in adult patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). Provisional evidence suggests that ketamine may induce change in hippocampal volume and that larger pre-treatment volumes might be related to positive clinical outcomes. Here, we examine the effects of serial ketamine treatment on hippocampal subfield volumes and relationships between pre-treatment subfield volumes and changes in depressive symptoms and neurocognitive performance. Methods Patients with TRD (N = 66; 31M/35F; age = 39.5 ± 11.1 years) received four ketamine infusions (0.5 mg/kg) over 2 weeks. Structural MRI scans, the National Institutes of Health Toolbox (NIHT) Cognition Battery, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were collected at baseline, 24 h after the first and fourth ketamine infusion, and 5 weeks post-treatment. The same data was collected for 32 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC; 17M/15F; age = 35.03 ± 12.2 years) at one timepoint. Subfield (CA1/CA3/CA4/subiculum/molecular layer/GC-ML-DG) volumes corrected for whole hippocampal volume were compared across time, between treatment remitters/non-remitters, and patients and HCs using linear regression models. Relationships between pre-treatment subfield volumes and clinical and cognitive outcomes were also tested. All analyses included Bonferroni correction. Results Patients had smaller pre-treatment left CA4 (p = 0.004) and GC.ML.DG (p = 0.004) volumes compared to HC, but subfield volumes remained stable following ketamine treatment (all p > 0.05). Pre-treatment or change in hippocampal subfield volumes over time showed no variation by remission status nor correlated with depressive symptoms (p > 0.05). Pre-treatment left CA4 was negatively correlated with improved processing speed after single (p = 0.0003) and serial ketamine infusion (p = 0.005). Left GC.ML.DG also negatively correlated with improved processing speed after single infusion (p = 0.001). Right pre-treatment CA3 positively correlated with changes in list sorting working memory at follow-up (p = 0.0007). Discussion These results provide new evidence to suggest that hippocampal subfield volumes at baseline may present a biomarker for neurocognitive improvement following ketamine treatment in TRD. In contrast, pre-treatment subfield volumes and changes in subfield volumes showed negligible relationships with ketamine-related improvements in depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemis Zavaliangos-Petropulu
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Shawn M. McClintock
- Division of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Shantanu H. Joshi
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Brandon Taraku
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Noor B. Al-Sharif
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Randall T. Espinoza
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Cao P, Chen C, Si Q, Li Y, Ren F, Han C, Zhao J, Wang X, Xu G, Sui Y. Volumes of hippocampal subfields suggest a continuum between schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1191170. [PMID: 37547217 PMCID: PMC10400724 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1191170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective There is considerable debate as to whether the continuum of major psychiatric disorders exists and to what extent the boundaries extend. Converging evidence suggests that alterations in hippocampal volume are a common sign in psychiatric disorders; however, there is still no consensus on the nature and extent of hippocampal atrophy in schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to verify the continuum of SZ - BD - MDD at the level of hippocampal subfield volume and to compare the volume differences in hippocampal subfields in the continuum. Methods A total of 412 participants (204 SZ, 98 MDD, and 110 BD) underwent 3 T MRI scans, structured clinical interviews, and clinical scales. We segmented the hippocampal subfields with FreeSurfer 7.1.1 and compared subfields volumes across the three diagnostic groups by controlling for age, gender, education, and intracranial volumes. Results The results showed a gradual increase in hippocampal subfield volumes from SZ to MDD to BD. Significant volume differences in the total hippocampus and 13 of 26 hippocampal subfields, including CA1, CA3, CA4, GC-ML-DG, molecular layer and the whole hippocampus, bilaterally, and parasubiculum in the right hemisphere, were observed among diagnostic groups. Medication treatment had the most effect on subfields of MDD compared to SZ and BD. Subfield volumes were negatively correlated with illness duration of MDD. Positive correlations were found between subfield volumes and drug dose in SZ and MDD. There was no significant difference in laterality between diagnostic groups. Conclusion The pattern of hippocampal volume reduction in SZ, MDD and BD suggests that there may be a continuum of the three disorders at the hippocampal level. The hippocampus represents a phenotype that is distinct from traditional diagnostic strategies. Combined with illness duration and drug intervention, it may better reflect shared pathophysiology and mechanisms across psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyu Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Congxin Chen
- Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Si
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
- Huai’an No. 3 People’s Hospital, Huai’an, China
| | - Yuting Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangfang Ren
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Chongyang Han
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiying Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoxin Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxiu Sui
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing, China
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Knaust T, Siebler MBD, Tarnogorski D, Skiberowski P, Höllmer H, Moritz C, Schulz H. Cross-sectional field study comparing hippocampal subfields in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder with comorbid major depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder using routine clinical data. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1123079. [PMID: 37384185 PMCID: PMC10299169 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1123079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The hippocampus is a central brain structure involved in stress processing. Previous studies have linked stress-related mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), with changes in hippocampus volume. As PTSD and MDD have similar symptoms, clinical diagnosis relies solely on patients reporting their cognitive and emotional experiences, leading to an interest in utilizing imaging-based data to improve accuracy. Our field study aimed to determine whether there are hippocampal subfield volume differences between stress-related mental disorders (PTSD, MDD, adjustment disorders, and AdjD) using routine clinical data from a military hospital. Methods Participants comprised soldiers (N = 185) with PTSD (n = 50), MDD (n = 70), PTSD with comorbid MDD (n = 38), and AdjD (n = 27). The hippocampus was segmented and volumetrized into subfields automatically using FreeSurfer. We used ANCOVA models with estimated total intracranial volume as a covariate to determine whether there were volume differences in the hippocampal subfields cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), cornu ammonis 2/3 (CA2/3), and dentate gyrus (DG) among patients with PTSD, MDD, PTSD with comorbid MDD, and AdjD. Furthermore, we added self-reported symptom duration and previous psychopharmacological and psychotherapy treatment as further covariates to examine whether there were associations with CA1, CA2/3, and DG. Results No significant volume differences in hippocampal subfields between stress-related mental disorders were found. No significant associations were detected between symptom duration, psychopharmacological treatment, psychotherapy, and the hippocampal subfields. Conclusion Hippocampal subfields may distinguish stress-related mental disorders; however, we did not observe any subfield differences. We provide several explanations for the non-results and thereby inform future field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiemo Knaust
- Center for Mental Health, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Helge Höllmer
- Center for Mental Health, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Moritz
- Department of Radiology, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Holger Schulz
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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