Neuroradiology
Abnormal gray matter and structural covariance network in first-episode and early-onset depression
Chen Yuan, Jiang Yu, Chen Yi, Han Shaoqiang, Zheng Ruiping, Li Shuying, Zhang Yong, Xue Kangkang, Liu Junhong, Cheng Jingliang
Published 2021-09-10
Cite as Chin J Radiol, 2021, 55(9): 941-947. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112149-20201126-01260
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the abnormalities of gray matter volume (GMV) and the synergistic changes in different cerebral regions in the first-episode and early-onset depression (EOD) patients.
MethodsA total of 60 patients with untreated EOD (EOD group) and 64 healthy controls (control group) matched for age, gender, and education underwent high-resolution T1WI MR scans. Voxel-based morphometry was used to calculate the cerebral GMV. The difference in GMV between the two groups was compared with the t-test. Different brain regions were selected as seeds for structural covariation network (SCN) analysis. Spearman correlation model was used to analyze the correlation between the GMV in different cerebral regions and illness duration as well as the scores of Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) 17 items in EOD group.
ResultsCompared to control group, the EOD group had significantly increased GMV in the right orbitofrontal cortex, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right inferior parietal lobule, right superior parietal lobule and bilateral precuneus (P<0.05, corrected by FDR). Based on the right orbitofrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as seed regions, structural covariance analysis revealed that abnormal cooperative brain regions in EOD group, mainly distributed in the bilateral frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, paralimbic system and cerebellum (P<0.05, corrected by FDR). In EOD group, significant negative correlations were observed between the GMV in the right orbitofrontal cortex (r=-0.314, P=0.015), the left precuneus (r=-0.283, P=0.029), and illness duration. Significant positive correlations were observed between the GMV in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the scores of anxiety/somatization factor of HAMD17 (r=0.331, P=0.010), the left precuneus and weight factor of HAMD17 (r=0.255, P=0.049), respectively.
ConclusionsAbnormal GMV changes are observed in some regions of the prefrontal and parietal lobule in patients with untreated EOD, accompanied by extensive covariant brain regions and additional structural connectivity. In addition, the abnormal GMV changes in some regions are associated with clinical features. Part of the prefrontal and parietal lobule may be the biomarkers to objectively evaluate abnormal brain structure in depression patients in the early stage.
Key words:
Depressive disorder; Magnetic resonance imaging; Gray matter volume; Structural covariance
Contributor Information
Chen Yuan
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Jiang Yu
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Chen Yi
Clinical Research Service Center, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Han Shaoqiang
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Zheng Ruiping
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Li Shuying
Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Zhang Yong
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Xue Kangkang
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Liu Junhong
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
Cheng Jingliang
Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450003, China
