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Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Grey Matter changes in treatment-resistant depression during electroconvulsive therapy.
Antoine Yrondi1, Federico Nemmi2, Sophie Billoux3
1Service de Psychiatrie et de Psychologie Médicale, Centre Expert Dépression Résistante FondaMental, CHU Toulouse, Hospital Purpan, ToNIC, Toulouse NeuroImaging Center, Université de Toulouse, Inserm, UPS, Toulouse, France.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|August 6, 2019
Summary
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) alters brain structure in Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) patients. Grey matter changes, including increased cortical thickness and hippocampal volume, were observed during and after ECT treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
Background:
- Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) affects 20-30% of depressed patients.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a primary treatment for TRD, but its mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Assessing neuroanatomical changes offers insight into ECT's efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate grey matter alterations in TRD patients undergoing bilateral ECT.
- To correlate structural brain changes with treatment response at different stages of ECT.
Main Methods:
- Structural MRI scans and clinical assessments (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) were performed on TRD patients aged 50-70.
- Scans were taken at baseline, after initial effective ECT, and post-treatment.
- Data was compared to healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Initially, controls had greater cortical thickness in several temporal and fusiform regions compared to TRD patients.
- These differences diminished post-ECT.
- Significant increases in superior temporal gyrus cortical thickness and hippocampal volume were observed from baseline to post-treatment and between V2 and V3.
Conclusions:
- ECT treatment is associated with observable grey matter changes in TRD patients.
- These neuroplastic changes, particularly in the superior temporal gyrus and hippocampus, appear to manifest after multiple ECT sessions.
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