Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
08:42

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

11.3K

Impaired Frontal-Limbic White Matter Maturation in Children at Risk for Major Depression

Yuwen Hung1, Zeynep M Saygin1, Joseph Biederman2,3

  • 1McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.

Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|September 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Children with a parental history of depression show atypical white matter (WM) development in brain regions crucial for mood regulation. These neurodevelopmental differences may indicate a predisposition to depression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder with unclear origins, possibly due to pathology or predisposing neurobiological traits.
  • A parental history of depression significantly increases an individual's risk, suggesting a genetic or familial component.
  • Understanding neurodevelopmental trajectories in at-risk youth is crucial for identifying early markers and interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differences in white matter (WM) microstructure maturation between children with and without a parental history of depression.
  • To explore the relationship between WM microstructure, age, and depressive symptoms in at-risk children.
  • To identify potential neurobiological markers of depression susceptibility in early development.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional comparison of WM microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 40 children (ages 8-14).
  • Participants were divided into two groups: At-Risk (parental history of depression) and Control (no parental history).
  • Analysis focused on age-related changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) within specific WM pathways.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in age-related FA changes were observed in anterior fronto-limbic WM pathways, including the anterior cingulum and genu of the corpus callosum.
  • Control children showed typical age-related increases in FA, while At-Risk children exhibited atypical decreases in FA in these regions.
  • In At-Risk children, dorsal cingulate FA correlated significantly with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Maturational differences in WM microstructure within mood-regulatory neurocircuitry may contribute to neurodevelopmental risk for depression.
  • These findings suggest distinct developmental trajectories in youth with a familial predisposition to depression.
  • The study highlights potential targets for early preventive interventions aimed at neurodevelopmental susceptibility to depression.

Keywords:
anterior cingulatediffusion tensor imagingfrontal–limbic connectivitymajor depression

More Related Videos

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia13:08

Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia

Published on: December 2, 2015

9.5K
Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging12:21

Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2011

26.0K

Related Concept Videos

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.2K
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
1.1K
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
830
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin...
923
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
1.1K
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
779