The prefrontal cortex influence over subcortical and limbic regions governs antidepressant response by N=H/(M+R)

Depression May Be a Complication of Various Brain Disorders: Neuroimaging Evidence

“…In general depression represents a decline of prefrontal cortex function consistent with prefrontal cortex influence in regulating mood, motivation, initiative and executive function [2,3]. Both clinical and neuroimaging studies reveal that in most depressions there seems to be hypo functioning of prefrontal cortex and hyper functioning of other brain regions -in particular sub cortical limbic regions [3,5].…”

“…Both clinical and neuroimaging studies reveal that in most depressions there seems to be hypo functioning of prefrontal cortex and hyper functioning of other brain regions -in particular sub cortical limbic regions [3,5]. This observation seems to be of significance for it suggests that in brain function bilateral relationships involving prefrontal cortex favors prefrontal cortex influence and decline of prefrontal cortex influence elicits exponentially magnified adverse consequences [3,6].…”

“…Major depressive disorder is most commonly associated with decreased metabolism in the dorsolateral prefrontal, anterior prefrontal, orbit frontal and ventral anterior subgenual cingulated cortex [3,5]. Decreases in frontal cortical metabolism during depressed mood have also been identified with C glucose PET imaging [11].…”

“…Many pharmacological treatments of depression rely on medications that have an inhibitory effect on limbic brain function by lessening dopaminergic activation and activating prefrontal cortex function [3]. The examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antipsychotics such as aripiprazole and olanzapine [3].…”

“…The examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antipsychotics such as aripiprazole and olanzapine [3]. Thus their effects on mood rely on their primary antidopaminergic and calming properties.…”