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Characterizing the subtype of anhedonia in major depressive disorder: A symptom-specific multimodal MRI study
Xiaodan Liu1, Lingsheng Li1, Meng Li1
1Medical Imaging Center, First affiliated hospital of JINAN University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
Abstract:
Anhedonia is a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD). Two subtypes of anhedonia: anticipatory anhedonia and consummatory anhedonia has been recognized in MDD patients. However, our knowledge regarding the distinction of anticipatory anhedonia and consummatory anhedonia in MDD remains limited. This study aimed to characterize the anticipatory anhedonia and consummatory anhedonia in first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients. Resting-state functional MRI and T1-structural MRI were acquired for 38 MDD patients and 65 matched healthy controls (HCs). The ALFF and cortical surface indexes were compared between MDD and HCs. Then the correlations between the ALFF and cortical surface indexes alternations and the scores of anticipatory and consummatory pleasure measured by Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale were evaluated. The elevated ALFF of left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and the reduced cortical thickness (CT) of left rostral ACC and lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) were respectively correlated with anticipatory anhedonia and consummatory anhedonia in MDD patients. These findings suggested the dissociated pathophysiological basis and imaging characteristics of anticipatory anhedonia and consummatory anhedonia. The ALFF and CT values of ACC and lOFC might serve as the imaging biomarker of the subtypes of anhedonia in early onset of MDD.
Insights
Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients show distinct brain activity patterns for anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia. These findings may help identify biomarkers for anhedonia subtypes in early-stage MDD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Anhedonia, a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), presents as two subtypes: anticipatory and consummatory.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the distinct neurobiological underpinnings of these anhedonia subtypes in MDD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the neurobiological differences between anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia in first-episode, drug-naïve MDD patients.
- To investigate potential imaging biomarkers for anhedonia subtypes in early MDD.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) and T1-structural MRI were used to analyze brain activity and structure.
- Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) and cortical thickness (CT) were compared between 38 MDD patients and 65 healthy controls (HCs).
- Correlations between brain imaging data and pleasure scores from the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale were examined.
Main Results:
- Elevated ALFF in the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) was associated with anticipatory anhedonia.
- Reduced cortical thickness in the left rostral ACC and lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) correlated with consummatory anhedonia.
- These findings indicate distinct pathophysiological bases and imaging characteristics for the two anhedonia subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Anticipatory and consummatory anhedonia in MDD may have dissociated neurobiological origins.
- ALFF and CT values in the ACC and lOFC could serve as potential imaging biomarkers for anhedonia subtypes in early MDD.
- Further research can leverage these biomarkers for targeted interventions in MDD treatment.
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