Effect of electroconvulsive therapy on gray matter volume in major depressive disorder

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.06.051
• Publication Date: 2015-07-29T22:21:29Z
• Authors: Miho Ota; Takamasa Noda; Noriko Sato; Mitsutoshi Okazaki; Masatoshi Ishikawa; Kotaro Hattori; Hiroaki Hori; Daimei Sasayama; Toshiya Teraishi; Daichi Sone; Hiroshi Kunugi
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Depressive Disorder, Major; Brain; Organ Size; Middle Aged; Gyrus Cinguli; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Controlled Before-After Studies; Humans; Female; Gray Matter; Electroconvulsive Therapy

Although the clinical efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is well established, the underlying mechanisms of action remain elusive. The aim of this study was to elucidate structural changes of the brain following ECT in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).Fifteen patients with MDD underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning before and after ECT. Their gray matter volumes were compared between pre- and post-ECT.There were significant volume increases after ECT in the bilateral medial temporal cortices, inferior temporal cortices, and right anterior cingulate. Further, the increase ratio was correlated with the clinical improvement measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating scale.All subjects were treated with antidepressants that could have a neurotoxic or neuroprotective effect on the brain.We found that there were significant increases of gray matter volume in medial temporal lobes following ECT, suggesting that a neurotrophic effect of ECT could play a role in its therapeutic effect.