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Correlation between amygdala volume and age in bipolar disorder - a systematic review and meta-analysis of structural
Juliana Usher1, Stefan Leucht, Peter Falkai
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Germany.
Abstract:
The amygdala has gained special interest regarding the neuropathology of bipolar disorder (BD). Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies with patients suffering from BD have yielded quite inconsistent results with respect to amygdala volume. We performed a meta-analysis of structural MRI studies that investigated right and left amygdala volume in pediatric and adult patients with BD. The aim was to assess the heterogeneous findings and to investigate whether a correlation between amygdala volume and the patient's age exists. Studies were searched for in "Pub Med" (last search June 2007), and data for right and left amygdala volume in cm(3) were extracted and combined in a meta-analysis. Thirteen studies with 389 scans of patients and 488 scans of healthy control subjects (HC) were included. The impact of age on the difference in amygdala volume between patients and HC was assessed by meta-regression. The amygdala volume was bilaterally reduced in the overall sample of patients with BD and the pediatric subsample. The results of the adult studies were less homogeneous, and on average, no significant difference between adult patients and HC was found. A meta-regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between mean age and amygdala volume in patients with BD. We speculate that amygdala volume is reduced at the onset of the disease and increases with age.
Insights
Bipolar disorder (BD) is linked to reduced amygdala volume, particularly in pediatric patients. Amygdala volume in BD patients increases with age, suggesting changes throughout the disease course.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The amygdala plays a crucial role in the neuropathology of bipolar disorder (BD).
- Previous structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on amygdala volume in BD patients have produced inconsistent findings.
- Understanding amygdala volume changes is vital for diagnosing and treating BD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of structural MRI studies on amygdala volume in pediatric and adult BD patients.
- To resolve inconsistencies in previous research regarding amygdala volume in BD.
- To investigate the relationship between amygdala volume and age in BD patients.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was performed on 13 structural MRI studies.
- Data from 389 BD patients and 488 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed.
- Meta-regression was used to assess the impact of age on amygdala volume differences.
Main Results:
- A bilateral reduction in amygdala volume was observed in the overall BD sample and the pediatric subgroup.
- Adult BD studies showed less homogeneity, with no significant average difference in amygdala volume compared to HC.
- Meta-regression revealed a positive correlation between age and amygdala volume in BD patients.
Conclusions:
- Amygdala volume is reduced in pediatric BD patients.
- Amygdala volume may increase with age in individuals with bipolar disorder.
- These findings suggest dynamic changes in amygdala volume throughout the course of BD.
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