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Structural 'connectomic' alterations in the limbic system of multiple sclerosis patients with major depression

Salvatore Nigro1, Luca Passamonti2, Roberta Riccelli3

  • 1Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy.

Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|December 24, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Major depression in multiple sclerosis patients is linked to altered brain connectivity, particularly within limbic circuits involving the hippocampus and amygdala.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Major depression (MD) is prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) and significantly impacts patient quality of life.
  • The underlying brain mechanisms of MD in MS remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whole-brain connectivity patterns associated with MD in MS patients.
  • To explore potential alterations within limbic circuits.

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were acquired from 20 MS patients with MD, 22 non-depressed MS patients, and 16 healthy controls.
  • Deterministic tractography and graph analysis were employed to examine white-matter connectivity.

Main Results:

  • MD in MS was associated with increased local path length in the right hippocampus and right amygdala.
  • These findings were driven by increased shortest distances between the hippocampus/amygdala and prefrontal/sensory-motor cortices.

Conclusions:

  • The study supports neurobiological theories of MD in MS, implicating abnormal limbic circuit communication.
  • Evidence suggests a link between MD in MS and connectivity changes at the limbic-motor interface.
Keywords:
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)connectomegraph analysislimbic circuitsmajor depressionmultiple sclerosiswhite-matter connectivity patterns

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