Major Depressive Disorder (n=81) was associated with faster heart rates, reduced heart rate variability, and reduced insula gray matter volume compared to healthy controls (n=104).
Cross-Sectional (n=185)
Does major depressive disorder alter the neuroanatomical substrates (gray matter volume) underlying autonomic cardiac regulation (heart rate variability) compared to healthy controls?
Major depressive disorder is associated with reduced gray matter volume in the brain interoception network, particularly the insula, which correlates with autonomic cardiac dysregulation and reduced heart rate variability.
BackgroundMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD), characterized primarily by mood disturbances, is also accompanied by abnormal cardiovascular functioning.However, the neuroanatomical substrates underlying this cardiovascular dysfunction remain elusive. MethodsThis study investigated the neuroanatomical foundations of cardiac dysfunction in MDD.Using magnetic resonance imaging, we examined differences in gray matter volume (GMV) between MDD patients (n = 81) and healthy controls (HC, n = 104) in regions implicated in cardiovascular regulation, notably the insula, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thalamus, and brainstem nuclei.Photoplethysmography signals acquired during a 10-minute resting-state provided data to investigate group differences in heart (pulse) rate variability (HRV) metrics (e.g.heart rate, low and high frequency components).Correlations and mixed-effect linear regression models tested the strength of group differences in the association between HRV metrics and regional GMV.Mediation analyses evaluated whether GMV mediated the observed group differences in HRV. ResultsPatients with MDD had faster heart rates, and reduced HRV, when compared to HCs.Neuroanatomically, patients with MDD manifest significantly reduced GMV across the insula, ACC, hippocampus, thalamus, and cerebellum.Negative correlations between insula GMV and HRV metrics were found in HCs, but not in MDD patients.Regression models confirmed stronger association between insula volume and HRV metrics in HCs.Mediation analyses revealed that differences in cardiac measures explain the reduced insula GMV differences between diagnostic groups. ConclusionsThese findings reveal a disrupted heart-brain relationship in MDD, notably a link between cardiac dysregulation and reduced insula volume.This highlights the importance of potential body-brain targets for therapeutic intervention in mood disorders.
Fermin et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Major Depressive Disorder (n=185). Major Depressive Disorder vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Differences in gray matter volume and heart rate variability metrics, and their association. Major Depressive Disorder (n=81) was associated with faster heart rates, reduced heart rate variability, and reduced insula gray matter volume compared to healthy controls (n=104).
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