Molecular imaging of striatal dopamine transporters in major depression—A meta-analysis

Abstract Background Increasing studies have revealed the dopamine transporter (DAT) availability altered in striatum associated with major depression. However, the results remain inconsistent. Methods To assess the alteration of striatal DAT availability in major depression, we performed a meta-analysis based on 12 case-control molecular imaging studies, including a total of 209 depressed patients and 314 healthy controls. Hedges׳ g and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for striatal DAT availability in major depression compared with controls were estimated. Results Our meta-analysis revealed no evidence for the alteration of striatal DAT availability in major depression (Hedges׳ g =0.09, CI 95% from −0.43 to 0.61, P =0.73). Meta-regression analyses suggested that there were no moderating effects for age, gender, year of publication, sample size, medication exposures and severity of depression on the hedges׳ g values for striatal DAT availability. Limitations The results should be treated with caution because of the significant heterogeneity and the potential interference of confounding factors in this meta-analysis. Conclusions Our results showed no altered striatal DAT availability in major depression and indicated that striatal DAT may not implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression.