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Subgenual prefrontal cortex abnormalities in mood disorders

Author

Listed:
  • Wayne C. Drevets

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)

  • Joseph L. Price

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Joseph R. Simpson

    (Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Richard D. Todd

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Theodore Reich

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine)

  • Michael Vannier

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    University of Iowa)

  • Marcus E. Raichle

    (Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine
    Washington University School of Medicine)

Abstract

Pathological disturbances of mood may follow a 'bipolar' course, in which normal moods alternate with both depression and mania, or a 'unipolar' course, in which only depression occurs1–3. Both bipolar and unipolar disorders can be heritable illnesses associated with neurochemical, neuroendocrine and autonomic abnormalities. The neurobiological basis for these abnormalities has not been established2,3. Using positron emission tomographic (PET) images of cerebral blood flow and rate of glucose metabolism to measure brain activity, we have now localized an area of abnormally decreased activity in the pre-frontal cortex ventral to the genu of the corpus callosum in both familial bipolar depressives and familial unipolar depressives. This decrement in activity was at least partly explained by a corresponding reduction in cortical volume4, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated reductions in the mean grey matter volume in the same area of 39 and 48% in the bipolar and unipolar samples, respectively. This region has previously been implicated in the mediation of emotional and autonomic responses to socially significant or provocative stimuli, and in the modulation of the neurotransmitter systems targeted by antidepressant drugs3,5–10.

Suggested Citation

  • Wayne C. Drevets & Joseph L. Price & Joseph R. Simpson & Richard D. Todd & Theodore Reich & Michael Vannier & Marcus E. Raichle, 1997. "Subgenual prefrontal cortex abnormalities in mood disorders," Nature, Nature, vol. 386(6627), pages 824-827, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:386:y:1997:i:6627:d:10.1038_386824a0
    DOI: 10.1038/386824a0
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    Cited by:

    1. Minghao Dong & Ling Zhao & Kai Yuan & Fang Zeng & Jinbo Sun & Jixin Liu & Dahua Yu & Karen M von Deneen & Fanrong Liang & Wei Qin & Jie Tian, 2013. "Length of Acupuncture Training and Structural Plastic Brain Changes in Professional Acupuncturists," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(6), pages 1-8, June.
    2. Chen Yang & Yuzheng Hu & Aleksandr D. Talishinsky & Christian T. Potter & Coleman B. Calva & Leslie A. Ramsey & Andrew J. Kesner & Reuben F. Don & Sue Junn & Aaron Tan & Anne F. Pierce & Céline Nicola, 2022. "Medial prefrontal cortex and anteromedial thalamus interaction regulates goal-directed behavior and dopaminergic neuron activity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Xin Zhang & Yan Xu & Lian Zhou & Chengcheng Zhang & Qingtao Meng & Shenshen Wu & Shizhi Wang & Zhen Ding & Xiaodong Chen & Xiaobo Li & Rui Chen, 2015. "Sex-Dependent Depression-Like Behavior Induced by Respiratory Administration of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, December.

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