A Comparative Study of Regional Homogeneity of Resting-State fMRI Between the Early-Onset and Late-Onset Recurrent Depression in Adults

Abstract

BackgroundNeurobiological mechanisms underlying the recurrence of major depressive disorder (MDD) at different ages are unclear, and this study used the regional homogeneity (ReHo) index to compare whether there are differences between early onset recurrent depression (EORD) and late onset recurrent depression (LORD).MethodsEighteen EORD patients, 18 LORD patients, 18 young healthy controls (HCs), and 18 older HCs were included in the rs-fMRI scans. ReHo observational metrics were used for image analysis and further correlation of differential brain regions with clinical symptoms was analyzed.ResultsANOVA analysis revealed significant differences between the four groups in ReHo values in the prefrontal, parietal, temporal lobes, and insula. Compared with EORD, the LORD had higher ReHo in the right fusiform gyrus/right middle temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus/left angular gyrus, and right middle temporal gyrus/right angular gyrus, and lower ReHo in the right inferior frontal gyrus/right insula and left superior temporal gyrus/left insula. Compared with young HCs, the EORD had higher ReHo in the right inferior frontal gyrus/right insula, left superior temporal gyrus/left insula, and left rolandic operculum gyrus/left superior temporal gyrus, and lower ReHo in the left inferior parietal lobule, right inferior parietal lobule, and left middle temporal gyrus/left angular gyrus. Compared with old HCs, the LORD had higher ReHo in the right fusiform gyrus/right middle temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus/right angular gyrus, and left rolandic operculum gyrus/left superior temporal gyrus, and lower ReHo in the right inferior frontal gyrus/right insula. ReHo in the right inferior frontal gyrus/right insula of patients with LORD was negatively correlated with the severity of 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) scores (r = −0.5778, p = 0.0120).ConclusionAdult EORD and LORD patients of different ages have abnormal neuronal functional activity in some brain regions, with differences closely related to the default mode network (DMN) and the salience network (SN), and patients of each age group exhibit ReHo abnormalities relative to matched HCs.Clinical Trial Registration[http://www.chictr.org.cn/], [ChiCTR1800014277].

A Study of Differential Resting-State Brain Functional Activity in Males and Females with Recurrent Depressive Disorder

“…Emotions can be transmitted to the insula through interconnections with the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex to receive and integrate positive and negative endoceptive information [ 49 , 50 ]. Previous studies have found SN abnormalities in patients with RDE [ 35 , 51 ]. The improvement in clinical symptoms in patients with MDD may be related to escitalopram modulation of the ReHo of the insula [ 52 ].…”

“…Experienced psychiatrists evaluated patients with RDE according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria. The patients were required to meet the following inclusion criteria [ 23 , 35 ]: (1) age 18–60 years, (2) right-handedness, (3) a 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) score >17, and (4) the RDE group having a previous history of MDD that was remitted with antidepressants or other therapies and was now relapsing, and they had not been taking antidepressants for at least 4 weeks before enrollment. Meanwhile, we used advertising recruitment to include a total of 43 healthy controls (HCs) who were relatively matched to the RDE group in terms of sex and age.…”

“…Meanwhile, we used advertising recruitment to include a total of 43 healthy controls (HCs) who were relatively matched to the RDE group in terms of sex and age. The HCs were required to meet the following inclusion criteria [ 23 , 35 ]: (1) age 18–60 years, (2) right-handedness, (3) a HAMD-17 score <7, and (4) first-degree relatives without any history of mental illness.…”

“…The exclusion criteria for the patients and HCs were as follows [ 23 , 35 ]: (1) presence of contraindications to the MRI, (2) bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric disorders, (3) tumors or cardiovascular or other major diseases, (4) pregnant or lactating status, and (5) a history of drug abuse.…”

“…Regional homogeneity (ReHo) is a common study method for rs-fMRI. ReHo can reflect the regional synchronization of spontaneous brain activity and has been widely used in the study of the subtypes of MDD [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Therefore, in this study, we use the ReHo method to observe sex differences in the local functional brain activity in patients with RDE and further observe the correlation between abnormal brain areas and clinical symptoms.…”