White matter microstructure changes in adults with major depressive disorder: evidence from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious psychiatric disorder marked by low mood and anhedonia. Understanding the neural mechanism of MDD is essential for the treatment of depression. White matter fibres, connecting different computational units in the brain, have an important effect on brain function; however, the mechanism of white matter fibre abnormality in MDD is still unclear. Aims Our study expected to find white matter abnormalities associated with the frontal lobe and hippocampus in individuals with MDD. Method Using diffusion tensor imaging data and tract-based spatial statistics, we investigated the microstructural differences in white matter fibre tracts between 30 adults with MDD compared with 31 healthy controls, and calculated the association between MDD-related microstructural changes and illness duration. Results It was found that patients with MDD showed reduced fractional anisotropy in the genu and body of the corpus callosum, right corona radiata and part of the thalamic radiations, suggesting lower fibrous myelination levels in these regions; the decreased fractional anisotropy in these regions was associated with longer illness duration. Conclusions Our results suggest that MDD may be associated with microstructural damage of key fibre tracts, which could provide insights into the understanding and treatment of MDD.