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Corpus callosal morphology in early onset adolescent depression
Frank P Macmaster1, Normand Carrey, Lisa Marie Langevin
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. fmacmast@ucalgary.ca
Journal of Affective Disorders
|September 12, 2012
Summary
Adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with a smaller corpus callosum area, particularly the genu region. This suggests early-onset depression may involve atypical brain development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent in adolescents.
- Abnormalities in the corpus callosum are linked to MDD.
- Few studies investigate early-onset depression and brain development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine corpus callosum structure in adolescent MDD.
- Investigate the influence of atypical development on MDD pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to measure corpus callosum area.
- 16 adolescent MDD patients and 16 age/sex-matched controls studied.
- Area of corpus callosum and sub-regions analyzed.
Main Results:
- Corpus callosal area was significantly smaller in MDD participants.
- This difference was localized to the genu of the corpus callosum.
- No significant differences found in other sub-regions or intracranial area.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings indicate genu abnormalities in early-onset depression.
- Larger sample sizes and diffusion tensor imaging are needed for confirmation.
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