Alteration of cerebral perfusion and cortical thickness in depression episodes: a comparative MRI study

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to determine the difference between cerebral perfusion and cortical thickness between first attack and recurrent in major depression patients. Material and Method: Our study was conducted prospectively between 01.03.2017-03.03.2018 in Izzet Baysal University Psychiatry department. 40 patients (21 first episodes and 19 recurrent episodes) diagnosed with depression according to DSM 5 by the American Psychiatric Association and a control group of 16 healthy individuals were evaluated for cerebral blood flow and cortical thickness with Perfusion MRI. Patients were also evaluated by Hamilton depression rating scale. Findings: The cortical thickness was significantly decreased in recurrent attacks.There was no significant difference of CBF in first episode and recurrent episodes, except cingulate cortex, which showed significantly reduced CBF values in recurrent group. In patients with higher Hamilton depression scale points, the CBF values of insular cortex were decreased. Conclusion: These findings suggests that cortical atrophy and activation of default mode network in recurrent episodes which leads to decreased response to treatment.

Keywords

• Depression
• Cerebral perfusion
• Cortical thickness
• MRI

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