Diagnostic and Predictive Applications of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Major Depressive Disorder: A...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) lacks a definitive biomarker, necessitating advanced diagnostic tools.
• Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is emerging as a potential neuroimaging biomarker for MDD.
• This review systematically evaluates fNIRS applications in MDD diagnosis, symptom correlation, and treatment monitoring.

Approach:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library) for studies published between 1980 and June 2019.
• Included studies utilized fNIRS to assess cerebral hemodynamic variations in individuals with MDD.
• Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Key Points:

• fNIRS consistently identified attenuated cerebral hemodynamic changes in individuals with MDD compared to healthy controls.
• fNIRS signals demonstrated potential in correlating with specific depression symptoms.
• The technique shows promise for monitoring treatment responses in MDD patients.

Conclusions:

• fNIRS offers a promising, non-invasive approach for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of MDD.
• Further research with larger sample sizes and standardized methodologies is recommended.
• Integrating fNIRS with other neuroimaging techniques and longitudinal studies could enhance its clinical utility.