Amygdala-pons connectivity is hyperactive and associated with symptom severity in depression.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of the neural underpinnings of processing sad information and how it differs in people with depression could elucidate the neural mechanisms perpetuating sad mood in depression. Here, we conduct a 7 T fMRI study to delineate the neural correlates involved only in processing sad information, including pons, amygdala, and corticolimbic regions. We then conduct a 3 T fMRI study to examine the resting-state connectivity in another sample of people with and without depression. Only clinically depressed people demonstrate hyperactive amygdala-pons connectivity. Furthermore, this connectivity is related to depression symptom severity and is a significant indicator of depression. We speculate that visual sad information reinforces depressed mood and stimulates the pons, strengthening the

SUBMITTER: Wong JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9187701 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature