Anatomical MRI study of subgenual prefrontal cortex in bipolar and unipolar subjects

This study attempted to replicate previous findings of decreased gray matter content in the subgenual prefrontal cortex (SGPFC) in mood disorder patients. Eighteen DSM-IV unipolar patients, 27 DSM-IV bipolar patients, and 38 healthy controls were studied. A 1.5T GE Signa Imaging System with Signa 5.4.3 software was used. The semi-automated software MedX (Sensor Systems, Sterling, VA) was utilized for the anatomical measures of SGPFC volumes. There were no significant differences in SGPFC volumes in familial and non-familial unipolar and bipolar patients compared with healthy controls, nor between drug-free and lithium-treated bipolar patients (ANOVA, p >.05). In vivo abnormalities in the volumes of SGPFC were not identified in mildly depressed or euthymic unipolar or bipolar mood disorder outpatients, either familial or non-familial.