Work

Prefrontal glucose metabolism in medication-resistant major depression

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Medication-resistant depression (MRD) is associated with poorer attentional performance and immense socioeconomic costs. AIMS: We aimed to investigate the central pathophysiology of MRD, previously linked to impaired prefrontal cortex function. METHOD: A total of 54 participants (22 with MRD, 16 with non-resistant depression, 16 healthy controls) were recruited. Non-MRD status was confirmed by a prospective 6-week antidepressant trial. All medication-free participants underwent a go/no-go task to study prefrontal cortical function (attention) and positron emission tomography scans to study regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMglu) at rest. RESULTS: The MRD group had worse attentional ratings and decreased rCMglu compared with the non-MRD and control groups. Attentional performance was positively associated with prefrontal cortex rCMglu. The prefrontal cortex differences between MRD and non-MRD groups remained after adjusting for past depressive episodes (F(1,35) = 4.154, P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Pronounced hypofrontality, with the associated attentional deficits, has a key role in the neuropathology of medication-resistant depression.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.113.140434

Authors: Cheng-Ta Li, Tung-Ping Su, Shyh-Jen Wang, Pei-Chi Tu, Jen-Chuen Hsieh

Institutions: Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang Ming University

Language: English

Topic: Treatment of Major Depression

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Council, National Yang-Ming University, Yen Tjing Ling Medical Foundation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital