Abstract
Background: Functional neuroimaging studies have implicated dysfunction of orbitofrontal
cortex in the symptoms of depression, and a recent postmortem study of depressed patients
found reduced density of neurons and glia in this area. The purpose of this study
was to measure volume of orbitofrontal cortex and other frontal cortical subregions
in patients with major depression.
Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure volume of the orbitofrontal
cortex and other frontal cortical regions in patients with major depression in remission
(n = 15) and comparison subjects (n = 20).
Results: Patients with depression had a statistically significant 32% smaller medial
orbitofrontal (gyrus rectus) cortical volume, without smaller volumes of other frontal
regions including anterior cingulate Brodmann’s area 24 (subgenual gyrus), anterior
cingulate Brodmann’s area 32, subcallosal gyrus (Brodmann’s area 25), or whole brain
volume. The findings were significant after statistically controlling for brain size.
Conclusions: These findings are consistent with smaller orbitofrontal cortical volume
in depression.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 31,
2001
Received in revised form:
October 22,
2001
Received:
April 12,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
