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A systematic review of resting-state functional-MRI studies in major depression
L Wang1, D F Hermens, I B Hickie
1Clinical Research Unit, Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallet Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Background:
To evaluate the literature pertaining to the use of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in Major Depression (MD).
Methods:
A search for papers published in English was conducted using MedLine, Embase, PsycINFO, OvidSP, and ScienceDirect with the following words: resting state, depression, MRI, affective, and default-mode.
Results:
The findings from 16 resting-state fMRI studies on MD are tabulated. Some common findings are discussed in further detail.
Conclusion:
The use of resting-state fMRI in MD research has yielded a number of significant findings that provide the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of depressive symptoms. Of particular note and deserving of further research are the roles of the cortico-limbic mood regulating circuit (MRC) and the interaction between task-positive and task-negative networks in MD. There is increasing interest in the use of resting-state fMRI in the study of psychiatric conditions, and continued improvement in technique and methodology will prove valuable in future research.
