Monoaminergic network dysfunction and development of depression in multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal investigation

Monoaminergic network dysfunction is thought to underpin depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, longitudinal studies are lacking.

Here, we investigated the association between development of depressive symptoms in MS and changes of resting-state functional connectivity (RS FC) within monoaminergic networks.

Forty-nine MS patients without depression [Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS) ≤ 9] and 27 healthy controls underwent clinical and 3.0 T RS FC assessment at baseline and after a median follow-up of 1.6 years (interquartile range 1.0-2.1 years). Monoamine-related RS FC was derived by independent component analysis, constrained to PET atlases for dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin transporters. Longitudinal changes of RS FC within monoaminergic networks and their correlations with MADRS scores were assessed.

At baseline, MS patients showed decreased RS FC vs healthy controls in all PET-guided monoaminergic networks in frontal, cingulate and cerebellar cortices, and increased RS FC in parieto-occipital regions. Fourteen (29%) MS patients developed depressive symptoms (MADRS > 9) at follow-up (D-MS) and exhibited widespread RS FC decrease over time in the PET-guided dopamine network, mainly in orbitofrontal, occipital, anterior cingulate and precuneal cortices compared to patients who did not develop depressive symptoms. In D-MS, decreased RS FC over time was also observed in parahippocampal and occipital regions of the PET-guided noradrenaline network. Decreased RS FC over time in dopamine and noradrenaline PET-guided networks correlated with concomitant increased MADRS scores (r = range - 0.65/- 0.61, p < 0.001).

The development of depressive symptoms in MS patients was associated with specific RS FC changes within the dopamine and noradrenaline networks.