Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2005 Jul;16(4):309-316.

1H-MRS Study on the Frontal Lobe White Matter Metabolites in Female Patients with Depression: Relations to Impulsivity

• Nam YY
• Lee SK
• Jang DP
• Kim JJ
• Kim JY
• Lee HS
• Kim CH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The frontal lobe white matter (FLWM) is suggested to play an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. In this study, metabolites in the normal appearing FLWM and their clinical meaning in female subjects were evaluated. METHODS: Using proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the ratios of metabolite peaks in the FLWM were measured in vivo in 14 female patients with major depressive disorder and were compared with 12 age-matched normal controls. The ratios' clinical significance was analyzed with respect to severity of depression (Hamilton Depression rating Scale score and Beck Depression Inventory score) and trait of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA ratio between depressed and control subjects. But right FLWM Cho/Cr ratios in control and depressed subjects were found to be positively correlated with total and motor impulsiveness score as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. CONCLUSION: The biochemical changes in the FLWM may provide some of the neurobiological substrates to personality trait, impulsivity. Further researches on the underlying mechanisms of impulsivity traits are needed.

Keyword

Major depressive disorder; Frontal lobe; White matter; Impulsivity; 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy

MeSH Terms

Depression*
Depressive Disorder, Major
Female*
Frontal Lobe*
Humans
Impulsive Behavior*
Spectrum Analysis