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Brain structural trajectories in the long-term course of depression

Poster No:

1871

Submission Type:

Abstract Submission

Authors:

Anna Kraus¹, Tiana Borgers², Janik Goltermann¹, Dominik Grotegerd³, Nils Winter⁴, Susanne Meinert³, Udo Dannlowski²

Institutions:

¹University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, ²Institute for Translational Psychiatry, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, ³Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster, Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, ⁴University of Münster, Münster, Germany

First Author:

Anna Kraus
University of Münster
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Co-Author(s):

Tiana Borgers
Institute for Translational Psychiatry
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Janik Goltermann
University of Münster
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Dominik Grotegerd
Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Nils Winter
University of Münster
Münster, Germany

Susanne Meinert
Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Münster
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Udo Dannlowski
Institute for Translational Psychiatry
Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia

Introduction:

Neuroimaging research in major depressive disorder (MDD) faces a striking disparity between numerous cross-sectional studies and the limited availability of longitudinal studies, which are crucial to examining the link between morphologic trajectories and long-term disease course. Hence, we aimed at disentangling brain structural changes within the frontolimbic circuitry in depression, distinguishing persistent scar-like effects from more dynamic state-like effects.

Methods:

We analyzed data from n=57 patients with MDD and n=149 healthy controls from the Münster Neuroimaging Cohort. Patients were initially recruited during inpatient treatment for a moderate or severe depressive episode. Between two and six follow-up assessments were conducted after baseline (mean [SD] assessments, 3.87 [0.85]), preferably every two years (mean [SD] months, 29.98 [8.25]). MRI and clinical interviews assessing disease progression were administered at each assessment. Utilizing surface-based region-of-interest (ROI) approaches, gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), insula, and hippocampus were examined.

Results:

No evidence was found for progressive GMV decline in relation to illness duration, whether assessed via composite score or single variables. Instead, significant interactions of time with remission state (hippocampus: β=-0.0614, p=.043; DLPFC: β=-0.0683, p=.016) and with depression severity (hippocampus: β=-0.0404, p=.005; DLPFC: β=-0.0381, p=.018) emerged, independent of psychiatric medication (Figure 1).

·Figure 1

Conclusions:

Contradicting the assumption from mostly cross-sectional research that brain structural changes in MDD are lasting deficits that worsen with recurrent episodes, our findings suggest these alterations are rather dynamic and may normalize with remission. Incorporating continuous symptom monitoring with subsequent MRI might reveal critical periods and aid in preventing recurrent episodes.

Disorders of the Nervous System:

Psychiatric (eg. Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia) ²

Modeling and Analysis Methods:

Univariate Modeling

Novel Imaging Acquisition Methods:

Anatomical MRI ¹

Keywords:

Affective Disorders

Pre-registration

STRUCTURAL MRI

Other - multilevel modeling

^1|2Indicates the priority used for review

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Structural MRI

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3.0T

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SPM

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