Associations between anterior cingulate thickness, cingulum bundle microstructure, melancholia and depression severity in unipolar depression

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.035
• Publication Date: 2022-01-10T16:06:58Z
• Authors: Nicolas Mertse; Niklaus Denier; Sebastian Walther; Sigrid Breit; Elmar Grosskurth; Andrea Federspiel; Roland Wiest; Tobias Bracht
• Keywords: Cingulum (brain); Depression

Structural and functional alterations of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) have been related to emotional, cognitive behavioral domains major depressive disorder. In this study, we investigate cortical thickness rostral caudal ACC. addition, explore white matter microstructure cingulum bundle (CB), a pathway connecting multiple segments We hypothesized reduced CB in MDD, particular melancholic subtype. expect an association between depression severity microstructure. Fifty-four patients with current episode 22 healthy controls matched for age, gender handedness underwent structural diffusion-weighted MRI-scans. Cortical ACC were computed. The was reconstructed bilaterally using manual tractography. fractional anisotropy (FA) bilateral compared first all second controls, non-melancholic patients. Correlations FA calculated. found no group differences or comparing controls. Melancholic had Across patients, associated CB. Impact medication is syndrome. may represent marker severity.