Mismatch negativity indices and functional outcomes in unipolar and bipolar depression

Sungkean Kim,Jae Hyun Yoo,Hwa Young Lee,Young Joon Kwon,Se-Hoon Shim,Ji Hyun Baek,Ji Sun Kim

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-69776-4

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the association between functional outcomes and mismatch negativity (MMN) activity in participants with mood disorders. The study participants were 27 subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD), 29 subjects with bipolar disorder (BD), and 33 healthy controls who performed a passive auditory oddball paradigm while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. Peak amplitudes and source activity of the MMN were compared across groups. Mood and anxiety symptoms were evaluated. The functional levels were the lowest in the BD group, followed by the MDD and healthy control groups. The subjects with BD had significantly lower MMN amplitudes at the frontal and frontocentral electrodes than the healthy controls. The source activity of the MMN from the left anterior cingulate cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus was significantly increased in the BD group compared to the MDD group. Significant correlations were detected between the functional outcomes and MMN amplitudes at frontal and frontocentral sites. The functional outcome was significantly correlated with left frontal regions. In conclusion, MMN activity appears to be a promising candidate as an evaluation tool for functional outcomes in mood disorders.

Highlights

The major depressive disorder (MDD) and Bipolar disorder (BD) groups showed no significant differences in terms of years of education
Results revealed no significant differences in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) state, STAI trait, or Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) between patients with MDD and patients with BD
This study sought to determine the relationship between MMN activity and functional decline in patients with MDD and BD and healthy populations

Summary

Introduction

MMN and functionality measures are correlated in healthy controls[24], demonstrating that MMN is independently related to social functioning[24] This suggests that an attenuated MMN amplitude to duration deviants may not be specific to schizophrenia, but rather to deficits in cognitive function[25]. The aim of the study was to assess the association between MMN and functional outcomes in mood disordered and healthy populations. The functionality measures would be correlate with the amplitude of MMN in both mood disordered and healthy populations. Considering previous studies that showed no MMN change in the first episode of affective disorders[41,42], we hypothesized that the age of onset and illness duration might correlate the MMN activity as well as functional outcome measures.

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Conclusion