Altered hippocampal function in major depression despite intact structure and resting perfusion

A. Finkelmeyer; Jonna Nilsson; J. He; L. Stevens; J. J. Maller; R. A. Moss; S. Small; P. Gallagher; K. Coventry; I. N. Ferrier; R. H. McAllister-Williams

doi:10.1017/S0033291716000702

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Altered hippocampal function in major depression despite intact structure and resting perfusion

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Altered hippocampal function in major depression despite intact structure and resting perfusion

A. Finkelmeyer, Jonna Nilsson, J. He, L. Stevens, J. J. Maller, R. A. Moss, S. Small, P. Gallagher, K. Coventry, I. N. Ferrier, …

Psychological medicine, Vol.46(10), pp.2157-2168

07/01/2016

DOI: 10.1017/S0033291716000702

PMID: 27192934

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https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/59110/1/Finkelmeyer_2016.pdfView

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Abstract

Background. Hippocampal volume reductions in major depression have been frequently reported. However, evidence for functional abnormalities in the same region in depression has been less clear. We investigated hippocampal function in depression using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neuropsychological tasks tapping spatial memory function, with complementing measures of hippocampal volume and resting blood flow to aid interpretation. Method. A total of 20 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and a matched group of 20 healthy individuals participated. Participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): fMRI during a spatial memory task, and structural MRI and resting blood flow measurements of the hippocampal region using arterial spin labelling. An offline battery of neuropsychological tests, including several measures of spatial memory, was also completed. Results. The fMRI analysis showed significant group differences in bilateral anterior regions of the hippocampus. While control participants showed task-dependent differences in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal, depressed patients did not. No group differences were detected with regard to hippocampal volume or resting blood flow. Patients showed reduced performance in several offline neuropsychological measures. All group differences were independent of differences in hippocampal volume and hippocampal blood flow. Conclusions. Functional abnormalities of the hippocampus can be observed in patients with MDD even when the volume and resting perfusion in the same region appear normal. This suggests that changes in hippocampal function can be observed independently of structural abnormalities of the hippocampus in depression.

Hippocampus

magnetic resonance imaging

major depressive disorder

spatial memory

Details

Title: Subtitle: Altered hippocampal function in major depression despite intact structure and resting perfusion
Creators: A. Finkelmeyer - Newcastle University
Jonna Nilsson - Karolinska Institutet
J. He - University of Aberdeen
L. Stevens - Newcastle University
J. J. Maller - Monash University
R. A. Moss - Newcastle University
S. Small - Newcastle University
P. Gallagher - Newcastle University
K. Coventry - University of East Anglia
I. N. Ferrier - Newcastle University
R. H. McAllister-Williams - Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Psychological medicine, Vol.46(10), pp.2157-2168
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291716000702
PMID: 27192934
NLM abbreviation: Psychol Med
ISSN: 0033-2917
eISSN: 1469-8978
Language: English
Date published: 07/01/2016
Academic Unit: Radiology
Record Identifier: 9984848427402771

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