Brain scans show shared changes during depression treatment and distinct antidepressant effects in some patients
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental health condition primarily characterized by persistent low mood or loss of interest in daily activities. While several medications are available to treat depression, finding one that works for each patient can take time.
Researchers at Stanford University and the University of Texas examined brain scans of 386 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). The study, published in Nature Mental Health, aimed to understand how brain connections change during early treatment with either a placebo or one of two antidepressants. The researchers analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans taken from participants one or two weeks after they started treatment.
The analysis revealed shared functional connectivity changes in visual-precuneus-thalamus circuits across all treatment groups, regardless of symptom improvement. In the placebo group, improved symptoms correlated with changes in striatal and attention networks. Antidepressant-specific changes were observed only in a subset of patients, involving the amygdala, midcingulate, orbitofrontal cortex, and cerebellum.
These findings provide insights into the early effects of antidepressants on brain connectivity and could potentially aid in optimizing treatment selection for MDD.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
