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Regionally specific alterations in functional connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex in major depressive disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2012

C. G. Davey ,
B. J. Harrison ,
M. Yücel  and
N. B. Allen
C. G. Davey*
Affiliation:
Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Australia
B. J. Harrison
Affiliation:
Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Australia
M. Yücel
Affiliation:
Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Australia
N. B. Allen
Affiliation:
Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Australia Department of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr C. G. Davey, Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. (Email: c.davey@unimelb.edu.au)
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Abstract

Background

Depression has been associated with functional alterations in several areas of the cingulate cortex. In this study we have taken a systematic approach to examining how alterations in functional connectivity vary across the functionally diverse subregions of the rostral cingulate cortex.

Method

Eighteen patients with major depressive disorder, aged 15 to 24 years, were matched with 20 healthy control participants. Using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI), we systematically investigated the functional connectivity of four subregions of the rostral cingulate cortex. Voxelwise statistical maps of each subregion's connectivity with other brain areas were compared between the patient and control groups.

Results

The depressed participants showed altered patterns of connectivity with ventral cingulate subregions. They showed increased connectivity between subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and dorsomedial frontal cortex, with connectivity strength showing positive correlation with illness severity. Depressed participants also showed increased connectivity between pregenual ACC and left dorsolateral frontal cortex, and decreased connectivity between pregenual ACC and the caudate nucleus bilaterally.

Conclusions

The results reinforce the importance of subgenual ACC for depression, and show a close link between brain regions that support self-related processes and affective visceromotor function. The pregenual ACC also has an important role, with its increased connectivity with dorsolateral frontal cortex suggesting heightened cognitive regulation of affect; and reduced connectivity with the caudate nucleus potentially underlying symptoms such as anhedonia, reduced motivation and psychomotor dysfunction.

Keywords

Adolescenceanterior cingulate cortexfMRIfunctional connectivitymajor depressive disorder

Information

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 10 , October 2012 , pp. 2071 - 2081
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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