Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
04:33
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
1.5K
Aberrant cortical neurodevelopment in major depressive disorder
Mike M Schmitgen1, Malte S Depping1, Claudia Bach1
1Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Vosstrasse 4, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|September 28, 2018
Summary
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to altered brain structure. This study found increased local cortical gyrification (LGI) in MDD patients, suggesting aberrant neurodevelopment may predict disease risk and course.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with cortical alterations.
- The specific roles of neurodevelopmental cortical features in MDD vulnerability, onset, and symptoms remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate local cortical gyrification (LGI) and cortical thickness (CT) as markers of neurodevelopment in MDD patients.
- To explore the relationship between these cortical features and clinical characteristics of MDD.
Main Methods:
- Structural MRI data from 38 MDD patients and 22 healthy controls (HC) were analyzed.
- Surface-based analysis computed LGI and CT using CAT12 software.
- Analyses included whole-brain and regions-of-interest approaches.
Main Results:
- MDD patients exhibited significantly greater LGI across frontal, cingulate, parietal, temporal, and occipital regions compared to HC.
- No significant differences in CT were observed between groups.
- In MDD patients, LGI in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions correlated with illness duration and number of depressive episodes.
Conclusions:
- Cortical changes in MDD follow distinct local trajectories.
- Aberrant cortical development may serve as a vulnerability marker for MDD.
- Aberrant cortical development could potentially predict the course of MDD.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
502
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...
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...
502
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
790
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
790
01:05Long-term Depression
33.3K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
33.3K
01:03Long-term Depression
3.4K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
3.4K
03:12Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
40.2K
Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
40.2K
01:28Depressants
437
Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
437