Assessment of Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Connectivity Among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Comparative Study

Background Resting-state functional connectivity analysis has a potential to unearth the putative neuronal underpinnings of various disorders of the brain. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is regarded as a disorder arising from alterations in functional networks of the brain. Purpose There is paucity of literature on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (Rs-fMRI) in MDD, especially from the Indian subcontinent. The purpose of our study was to elucidate the differences in Rs-fMRI connectivity between MDD patients and age and gender matched healthy controls (HC). Methods In this prospective single institute-based study, the patients were recruited consecutively based on Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D). Age and gender matched HC were also recruited. Rs-fMRI and anatomical MRI images were acquired for all the subjects (MDD and HC group) and subsequent analysis was done using the CONN toolbox. Results A total of 49 subjects were included in the final analysis (MDD = 28 patients, HC = 21). HAM-D score was noted to be 24.4 ± 4.8 in the MDD group. There was no significant difference between MDD and HC groups as far as age, gender, employment status, and level of education is concerned. Region-of-interest-based analysis of Rs-fMRI data showed a significantly lower connectivity between the left insula and left nucleus accumbens and between left paracingulate gyrus and bilateral posterior middle temporal gyri in MDD group as compared to HC group. Conclusion There is reduced connectivity between certain key regions of the brain in MDD patients, that is, between the left insular cortex and the left nucleus accumbens and between the left paracingulate gyrus and the bilateral posterior middle temporal gyrus. These findings could explain the basis of clinical features of MDD such as anhedonia, rumination of thoughts, reduced visuo-spatial comprehension, reduced language function, and response to external stimuli.