scholarly journals Reduction of higher-order occipital GABA and impaired visual perception in acute major depressive disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Mei Song ◽  
Xi-Wen Hu ◽  
Zhe Li ◽  
Yuan Gao ◽  
Xuan Ju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Visual Perception ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Gaba Concentration ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Psychopathological Symptoms

AbstractMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex state-dependent psychiatric illness for which biomarkers linking psychophysical, biochemical, and psychopathological changes remain yet elusive, though. Earlier studies demonstrate reduced GABA in lower-order occipital cortex in acute MDD leaving open its validity and significance for higher-order visual perception, though. The goal of our study is to fill that gap by combining psychophysical investigation of visual perception with measurement of GABA concentration in middle temporal visual area (hMT+) in acute depressed MDD. Psychophysically, we observe a highly specific deficit in visual surround motion suppression in a large sample of acute MDD subjects which, importantly, correlates with symptom severity. Both visual deficit and its relation to symptom severity are replicated in the smaller MDD sample that received MRS. Using high-field 7T proton Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), acute MDD subjects exhibit decreased GABA concentration in visual MT+ which, unlike in healthy subjects, no longer correlates with their visual motion performance, i.e., impaired SI. In sum, our combined psychophysical-biochemical study demonstrates an important role of reduced occipital GABA for altered visual perception and psychopathological symptoms in acute MDD. Bridging the gap from the biochemical level of occipital GABA over visual-perceptual changes to psychopathological symptoms, our findings point to the importance of the occipital cortex in acute depressed MDD including its role as candidate biomarker.

scholarly journals Occipital gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate-glutamine alterations in major depressive disorder: An MRS study and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vuong Truong ◽  
Paul Z. Cheng ◽  
Hsin-Chien Lee ◽  
Timothy J. Lane ◽  
Tzu-Yu Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Cortical Inhibition ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Sensory Cortices ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractThe neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate have been suggested to play a role in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) through an imbalance between cortical inhibition and excitation. This effect has been highlighted in higher brain areas, such as the prefrontal cortex, but has also been posited in basic sensory cortices. Based on this, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to investigate potential changes to GABA+ and glutamate+glutamine (Glx) concentrations within the occipital cortex in MDD patients (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 25). No difference in occipital GABA+ or Glx concentrations, nor in the GABA+/Glx ratio, was found between groups. An analysis of an extended MDD patient and unmatched control dataset (n = 90) found no correlation between metabolite concentrations and depressive symptoms. These results were integrated with prior studies through metabolite-specific meta-analyses, revealing no difference in occipital GABA and Glx concentrations between patients and controls. An effect of publication year on GABA group differences was found, suggesting that previously reported results may have been artifacts of measurement accuracy. Taken together, our results suggest that, contrary to some prior reports, MRS measurements of occipital GABA and Glx do not differ between MDD patients and controls.

scholarly journals Cognition and Its Association with Psychosocial and Occupational Functioning during Treatment with Escitalopram in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A CAN-BIND-1 Report: La Cognition Et Son Association Avec Le Fonctionnement Psychosocial Et Professionnel Durant Le Traitement Par Escitalopram Chez Des Patients Souffrant De Trouble Dépressif Majeur: Une Étude Can-Bind-1

2020 ◽  
pp. 070674372097482
Author(s):  
Shane J. McInerney ◽  
Trisha Chakrabarty ◽  
Malgorzata Maciukiewicz ◽  
Benicio N. Frey ◽  
Glenda M. MacQueen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Cognitive Change ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Occupational Functioning ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with impairments in both cognition and functioning. However, whether cognitive deficits significantly contribute to impaired psychosocial and occupational functioning, independent of other depressive symptoms, is not well established. We examined the relationship between cognitive performance and functioning in depressed patients before and after antidepressant treatment using secondary data from the first Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression-1 study. Methods: Cognition was assessed at baseline in unmedicated, depressed participants with MDD ( n = 207) using the Central Nervous System Vital Signs computerized battery, psychosocial functioning with the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and occupational functioning with the Lam Employment Absence and Productivity Scale (LEAPS). Cognition ( n = 181), SDS ( n = 175), and LEAPS ( n = 118) were reassessed after participants received 8 weeks of open-label escitalopram monotherapy. A series of linear regressions were conducted to determine (1) whether cognitive functioning was associated with psychosocial and occupational functioning prior to treatment, after adjusting for overall depressive symptom severity and (2) whether changes in cognitive functioning after an 8-week treatment phase were associated with changes in psychosocial and occupational functioning, after adjusting for changes in overall symptom severity. Results: Baseline global cognitive functioning, after adjusting for depression symptom severity and demographic variables, was associated with the SDS work/study subscale (β = −0.17; P = 0.03) and LEAPS productivity subscale (β = −0.17; P = 0.05), but not SDS total (β = 0.19; P = 0.12) or LEAPS total (β = 0.41; P = 0.17) scores. Although LEAPS and SDS scores showed significant improvements after 8 weeks of treatment ( P < 0.001), there were no significant associations between changes in cognitive domain scores and functional improvements. Conclusion: Cognition was associated with occupational functioning at baseline, but changes in cognition were not associated with psychosocial or occupational functional improvements following escitalopram treatment. We recommend the use of more comprehensive functional assessments to determine the impact of cognitive change on functional outcomes in future research.

Higher order thalamic nuclei resting network connectivity in early schizophrenia and major depressive disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 272 ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Penner ◽  
Elizabeth A. Osuch ◽  
Betsy Schaefer ◽  
Jean Théberge ◽  
Richard W.J. Neufeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Network Connectivity ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Thalamic Nuclei ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Early Schizophrenia

scholarly journals High-frequency cognitive and mood assessment in major depressive disorder with wearable technology (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Cormack ◽  
Maggie McCue ◽  
Nick Taptiklis ◽  
Caroline Skirrow ◽  
Emilie Glazer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Depression Symptom ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Good Correspondence ◽  
Adequate Treatment

BACKGROUND Cognitive symptoms are common in major depressive disorder, and may help to identify patients that need treatment or who are not experiencing adequate treatment response. Digital tools to provide real time data assessing cognitive function could help to support patients treatment and remediation of cognitive and mood symptoms. OBJECTIVE This study examined adherence, feasibility, and validity of a wearable high-frequency cognitive and mood assessment app over 6 weeks, corresponding to when antidepressant pharmacotherapy begins to show efficacy. METHODS Thirty patients (aged 19−63; 19 women) with mild-moderate depression participated. The new Cognition Kit application was delivered via the Apple Watch, providing a high-resolution touch screen display for task presentation and logging responses. Cognition was assessed by the n-back task up to 3 times daily and depressed mood by 3 short questions once daily. Selected tests sensitive to depression from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery and validated questionnaires of depression symptom severity were administered on 4 occasions (baseline, weeks 1, 3, and 6). Adherence was defined as participants completing at least one assessment daily. RESULTS Adherence was excellent for mood and cognitive assessments (95% and 96%, respectively), did not deteriorate over time, and was not influenced by depression symptom severity or cognitive function at study onset. Daily mood assessments showed good correspondence with validated depression questionnaires (correlations range from .45 to .69 for total daily mood score) and daily cognitive assessments showed good correspondence with cognitive tests sensitive to depression (correlations ranged from .37 to .50 for mean n-back). CONCLUSIONS The study supports the feasibility and validity of high-frequency assessment of cognitive function and mood function using wearable devices over an extended period in patients with major depressive disorder. CLINICALTRIAL clinicaltrials.gov NCT03067506

THE PATTERN OF IRRATIONAL BELIEFS ASSOCIATED WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyne Prud'homme ◽  
Pierre Barron
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Irrational Beliefs ◽  
Irrational Belief ◽  
Normal Control Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Normal Controls

In light of Rational-Emotive Theory, this study was undertaken to determine the pattern of irrational beliefs underlying Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). A total of 126 subjects (50 males, 76 females) volunteered to participate. Patients clinically diagnosed with MDD (unipolar type) and a control group of non-depressed patients were solicited from the inpatient and outpatient facilities of several Ottawa and Montreal hospitals; the normal control group comprised students and civil servants. The subjects completed questionnaires to measure irrational belief endorsement (IBT, RBI) and symptom severity (STAI, BDI) and to verify the depression diganosis (IDD). Multivariate statistics were used to determine the pattern of beliefs which best discriminates between the MDD group, the psychiatric control group, and the normal controls. Discriminant analysis of the IBT revealed a pattern of four irrational beliefs generally known as demand for approval, frustration reactivity, anxious overconcern, and helplessness over past. The implications of such findings for RET theory are discussed.

Rostral Anterior Cingulate Glutamine/Glutamate Disbalance in Major Depressive Disorder Depends on Symptom Severity

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 1049-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lejla Colic ◽  
Felicia von Düring ◽  
Dominik Denzel ◽  
Liliana Ramona Demenescu ◽  
Anton R. Lord ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Major Depressive

scholarly journals Reducing Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder with Future Event Specificity Training (FEST): A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David John Hallford ◽  
Danielle Rusanov ◽  
Joseph Yeow ◽  
David W. Austin ◽  
Arnaud D'Argembeau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Future Thinking ◽  
Future Event ◽  
Global Functioning ◽  
Major Depressive

Objective: Improving future thinking may be one means to reduce anhedonia, particularly in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in which future thinking is impaired. The current study therefore examined whether enhancing future thinking is a viable method of reducing anhedonia in MDD. Methods: Participants (N=177; 80.8% women; M age=43.7, SD=11.8) with a current depressive episode including anhedonia and high symptom severity were randomized to a Future Event Specificity Training (FEST) program or wait-list control. Future thinking characteristics, anhedonia-related variables, and other clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, one- and three-month follow-up. Results: The FEST group showed significantly improved future thinking characteristics compared to the control group, as expected. Relative to the control group, FEST was also associated with a reduced likelihood of anhedonia (35.1% vs 61.1%, p = .015), improvements on other anhedonia-related variables such as anticipatory (d = 0.63, p = .004) and anticipated pleasure (d = 0.77, p &lt; .001), and desirable clinical outcomes such as less people meeting criteria for MDD (37.8% vs 64.8%, p = .011), lower symptom severity (d = 0.41, p = .048), higher behavioural activation (d = 0.71, p = .001) and improved global functioning (d = 0.52, p = .017). Changes in future thinking characteristics were found to mediate the effect of FEST on anhedonia.Conclusions: Future thinking can be enhanced in MDD, and this leads to a substantially reduced likelihood of anhedonia, other significant clinical effects and functional gains. Future research might examine FEST’s effects on other diagnostic groups with anhedonia and the utility of FEST as an adjunct to other treatments.

scholarly journals Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Glx/tCr Predicts Efficacy of High Frequency 4- to 6-Week rTMS Treatment and Is Associated With Symptom Improvement in Adults With Major Depressive Disorder: Findings From a Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pallab Bhattacharyya ◽  
Amit Anand ◽  
Jian Lin ◽  
Murat Altinay
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal

About 20–40% of estimated 121 million patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are not adequately responsive to medication treatment. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive, non-convulsive neuromodulation/neurostimulation method, has gained popularity in treatment of MDD. Because of the high cost involved in rTMS therapy, ability to predict the therapy effectiveness is both clinically and cost wise significant. This study seeks an imaging biomarker to predict efficacy of rTMS treatment using a standard high frequency 10-Hz 4- to 6-week protocol in adult population. Given the significance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters glutamate (Glu) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the pathophysiology of MDD, and the involvement of the site of rTMS application, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC), in MDD, we explored lDLPFC Glx (Glu + glutamine) and GABA levels, measured by single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with total creatine (tCr; sum of creatine and phosphocreatine) as reference, as possible biomarkers of rTMS response prediction. Mescher-Garwood point-resolved spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) MRS data from 7 patients (40–74 y) were used in the study; 6 of these patients were scanned before and after 6 weeks of rTMS therapy. Findings from this study show inverse correlation between pretreatment lDLPFC Glx/tCr and (i) posttreatment depression score and (ii) change in depression score, suggesting higher Glx/tCr as a predictor of treatment efficacy. In addition association was observed between changes in depression scores and changes in Glx/tCr ratio. The preliminary findings did not show any such association between GABA/tCr and depression score.

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