Altered cortical gyrification patterns in panic disorder: deficits and potential compensation
Sujung Yoon1, Chansoo S Jun, Hyeonseok S Jeong
1Department of Psychiatry, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|July 23, 2013
Summary
Panic disorder is linked to abnormal brain gyrification, particularly reduced folding in lateral areas and increased folding in posteromedial regions. These brain pattern differences correlate with panic symptom severity, suggesting neurodevelopmental origins.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Abnormal brain gyrification patterns may indicate altered cortical connectivity during early brain development.
- Investigating these patterns in panic disorder could reveal neurodevelopmental markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the anatomical distribution of cortical gyrification deficits in panic disorder.
- To explore the relationship between gyrification patterns and panic symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution 3D T1-weighted MRI scans from 23 panic disorder patients and 33 healthy controls.
- Measurement of local gyrification indices in genetically defined cortical regions.
- Comparison of regional gyrification patterns between groups and correlation with symptom severity.
Main Results:
- Panic disorder patients showed reduced cortical gyrification in lateral fronto-parietal to temporal areas compared to controls.
- Hyper-gyrification in posteromedial default mode network regions was associated with less severe panic symptoms.
- Reduced interconnections within the default mode network were observed in severe panic disorder patients.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder exhibits significant alterations in cortical gyrification patterns.
- Default mode network's integrated folding pattern may influence panic symptom severity.
- Gyrification patterns represent potential neurodevelopmental markers for panic disorder.
Keywords:
Cortical gyrificationDefault mode networkLocal gyrification indexMagnetic resonance imagingPanic disorderMore Related Videos
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