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The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
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Published on: March 2, 2015

A brain-based endophenotype for major depressive disorder.

Bradley S Peterson1, Myrna M Weissman

  • 1Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032, USA. PetersoB@childpsych.columbia.edu

Annual Review of Medicine
|January 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers found a brain-based endophenotype for major depressive disorder (MDD) involving cortical thinning and white matter hypoplasia. These brain differences appear in at-risk relatives, suggesting early markers for MDD.

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Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)
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05:47

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Published on: September 23, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex illness with unclear biological underpinnings.
  • Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for early detection and intervention.
  • Familial risk studies are valuable for understanding genetic and environmental contributions to psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify a brain-based endophenotype for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
  • To investigate the presence of this endophenotype in individuals at familial risk for MDD.
  • To explore the cognitive correlates of the identified endophenotype in non-ill individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Neuroimaging techniques were used to assess cortical thickness and white matter volume.
  • A multigenerational cohort, including individuals with and without MDD, was studied.
  • Cognitive assessments focused on attention and visual memory for social stimuli.

Main Results:

  • A distinct brain-based endophenotype for MDD was identified, characterized by specific patterns of cortical thinning and white matter hypoplasia.
  • These neuroanatomical abnormalities were present in individuals with increased familial risk for MDD, even in the absence of the disorder.
  • Individuals with the endophenotype but without MDD exhibited inattention and impaired visual memory for social stimuli, correlating with the severity of brain abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • The identified brain-based endophenotype serves as a potential biomarker for MDD.
  • The findings suggest that neurodevelopmental alterations may precede the onset of MDD.
  • This endophenotype and its cognitive correlates offer novel targets for preventive and therapeutic strategies for MDD.