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Related Experiment Video

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Preparation of Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rats and Transgenic Mice for the Study of Synaptic Alterations during Aging and Amyloid Pathology
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Lower synaptic density is associated with depression severity and network alterations.

Sophie E Holmes1, Dustin Scheinost2, Sjoerd J Finnema1

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Nature Communications
|April 6, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involve synaptic loss. This study found lower synaptic density in individuals with depression, linked to altered brain network function.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are linked to synaptic dysfunction.
  • Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) serves as a biomarker for synaptic density.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate synaptic density using positron emission tomography (PET) in unmedicated individuals with MDD, PTSD, or comorbid conditions.
  • To explore the relationship between synaptic density, symptom severity, and functional connectivity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized PET imaging with the SV2A radioligand [11C]UCB-J.
  • Examined 26 unmedicated individuals with MDD, PTSD, or comorbid MDD/PTSD, and 21 healthy controls.
  • Assessed functional connectivity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Results:

  • Found an inverse correlation between depressive symptom severity and SV2A density.
  • Observed lower SV2A density in individuals with high depression compared to controls.
  • Demonstrated an association between reduced SV2A density and aberrant functional network connectivity.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first in vivo evidence linking reduced synaptic density to network alterations and depressive symptoms.
  • Findings support the investigation of interventions aimed at restoring synaptic connections for treating depression.