Study on resting-state fMRI based on amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in patients with major depression

Objective To observe characteristics of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in patients with major depression and explore the possible pathogenesis. Methods A total of 24 major depression patients and 26 sex-, age- and education-matched healthy controls were scanned with rs-fMRI based on amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). The correlation between mALFF values of brain regions and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) score was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis. Results Compared with control group, mALFF values in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), right orbital superior frontal gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, left operculum inferior frontal gyrus, left medial superior frontal gyrus and left gyrus rectus in major depression group were significantly increased (P < 0.05, for all; AlphaSim correction), while mALFF values in bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), right posterior cingulate gyrus, right precuneus and left lingual gyrus were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, for all; AlphaSim correction). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed mALFF values of brain regions in major depression patients was not significantly correlated with HAMD-17 score (P > 0.05, for all). Conclusions Abnormal brain spontaneous activity within default mode network (DMN) and limbic system could emerge in major depression patients during resting-state, which may be neurobiological substrate of major depression. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2018.03.005