Link between structural connectivity of the medial forebrain bundle, functional connectivity of the ventral tegmental area, and anhedonia in unipolar depression.

ABSTRACT: The ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are essential for experiencing pleasure and initiating motivated behaviour. The VTA, NAcc, and PFC are connected through the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). In humans, two branches have been described: an infero-medial branch (imMFB) and a supero-lateral branch (slMFB). This study aimed to explore the associations between structural connectivity of the MFB, functional connectivity (FC) of the VTA, anhedonia, and depression severity in patients with depression. Fifty-six patients with unipolar depression and 22 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and handedness were recruited at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in Bern, Switzerland. Diffusion-weighted imaging and resting-state fu

SUBMITTER: Bracht T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8844724 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature