Brain structural and functional alterations in MDD patient with gastrointestinal symptoms: A resting-state MRI study
Penghong Liu1, Gaizhi Li2, Aixia Zhang2
1Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China, 030001; Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, PR China, 030001.
Objective:
It is common for major depressive disorder (MDD) to be accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, which are known to negatively impact the course and severity of the disease. Although previous studies have attempted to explore the neuropathology of MDD, few studies have focused on the pathogenesis of GI symptoms in MDD. In this study, we investigated the changes in regional gray matter volume (GMV) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) present in MDD accompanied by GI symptoms.
Method:
The following images were obtained and analyzed: Structural and functional magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 36 patients with MDD accompanied by GI symptoms (GI symptoms group), 22 patients without GI symptoms (Non-GI symptoms group), and 27 healthy controls (HC. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was administered. A correlation analysis was used to identify the possible associations between altered regional GMV, ReHo symptoms, GI symptoms, and depressive symptoms.
Results:
The total scores from the HAMD-24 in the GI symptoms group were significantly higher than in the Non-GI symptoms group (P<0.05). Significant differences in both GMV and ReHo were observed among the three groups for the right parahippocampal gyrus, left precentral gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and left inferior orbitofrontal gyrus (AlphaSim correction, P <0.001). The GI symptoms group exhibited significantly decreased GMV and ReHo in the left middle frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus. Additionally, the GI symptoms group exhibited increased ReHo in the left superior temporal gyrus at a higher level than the non-GI symptoms group. (AlphaSim correction, P <0.001). These altered brain areas were correlated with GI symptoms (P<0.001) but not depressive symptoms (P>0.05).
Conclusion:
Patients with MDD accompanied by GI symptoms have more severe depressive symptoms. The structural and functional changes of the brain may be the pathogenesis for the GI symptoms in patients with MDD.
Insights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms shows more severe depression. Brain structural and functional changes in MDD patients may cause GI symptoms, impacting disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently co-occurs with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, negatively influencing disease progression and severity.
- While MDD's neuropathology is studied, the pathogenesis of associated GI symptoms remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate regional gray matter volume (GMV) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) changes in MDD patients with co-occurring GI symptoms.
- Explore the neuropathological basis of GI symptoms in MDD.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed structural and functional MRI scans from 36 MDD patients with GI symptoms, 22 MDD patients without GI symptoms, and 27 healthy controls.
- Administered the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD).
- Used correlation analysis to link altered regional GMV, ReHo, GI symptoms, and depressive symptoms.
Main Results:
- MDD patients with GI symptoms had higher HAMD-24 scores than those without (P<0.05).
- Significant GMV and ReHo differences were found in multiple brain regions across the three groups (P<0.001).
- The GI symptoms group showed decreased GMV and ReHo in specific frontal and precentral gyri, and increased ReHo in the left superior temporal gyrus, correlating with GI symptoms (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- MDD patients with GI symptoms exhibit more severe depressive symptoms.
- Observed structural and functional brain alterations may underlie the pathogenesis of GI symptoms in MDD.
- These brain changes are linked to GI symptom severity, not depressive symptom severity.
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