Abstract
Background: Abnormalities in the amygdala and hippocampus have been implicated in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). To our knowledge, no prior study has examined amygdala-hippocampus anatomy in pediatric patients with familial MDD (at least one first degree relative with MDD). Methods: Thirty-two psychotropic-naive patients with familial MDD, aged 8-21 years (12 males and 20 females), and 35 group-matched healthy participants (13 males and 22 females) underwent volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in order to evaluate hippocampal and amygdala volumes. Results: Patients with familial MDD had significantly smaller left hippocampal (p = .007, effect size [d] = .44) and right hippocampal volumes (p = .025, d = .33) than controls. No differences were noted in amygdala volumes between groups (right: p > .05, left: p > .05). No correlations between hippocampal or amygdala volumes and demographic or clinical variables were noted. Conclusions: Reduced hippocampal volume may be suggestive of a risk factor for developing MDD.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 385-390 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Biological Psychiatry |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 15 Feb 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Adolescents
- amygdala
- depression
- familial
- hippocampus
- magnetic resonance imaging