Corpus callosal morphology in early onset adolescent depression

Abstract

BackgroundAbnormalities in the corpus callosum and related white matter projections have been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD). Although MDD is as common in adolescence as in adulthood, few studies have examined youth near illness onset in order to determine the possible influence of atypical development on the pathophysiology of this disorder. Materials and methodsThe area of the corpus callosum and its sub-regions were measured in 16 subjects affected by MDD (16.24±2.03 years) and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (16.52±2.20 years) using magnetic resonance imagine (MRI). ResultsMann–Whitney U-tests revealed a difference in corpus callosal areas (u=75.00, p=0.047). Corpus callosal area was smaller in MDD participants (5.92±0.50cm2) as compared to age and sex matched controls (6.44±0.75cm2). This difference was isolated to the genu (U=62.00, p=0.012; 2.53±0.34cm2 for controls and 2.24±0.20cm2 for MDD participants), with no other sub-region demonstrating a significant difference. There was no difference in intracranial area between groups. No structure correlated with clinical or demographic variables. LimitationsConfirmation and extension of our findings requires a larger sample size and usage of diffusion tensor imaging. ConclusionsWhile preliminary, our findings provide new evidence of abnormalities in the genu of the corpus callosum in early onset depression.