Abstract
BackgroundPervasive negative thoughts about the self are central to the experience of depression. Brain imaging studies in the general population have localised self-related cognitive processing to areas of the medial pre-frontal cortex.AimsTo use fMRI to compare the neural correlates of self-referential processing in depressed and non-depressed participants.MethodCross-sectional comparison of regional activation using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI in 13 non-medicated participants with major depressive episode and 14 comparison participants, whilst carrying out a self-referential cognitive task.ResultsBoth groups showed significant activation of the dorsomedial pre-frontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex in the ‘self-referent’ condition. The depressed group showed significantly greater activation in the medial superior frontal cortex during the self-referent task. No difference was observed between groups in the ‘other-referent’ condition.ConclusionsMajor depressive episode is associated with specific neurofunctional changes related to self-referential processing.
Highlights
Both psychological therapy and medication are commonly used in the treatment of major depressive episodes, and have been found to be roughly effective [1]
Major depressive episode is associated with specific neurofunctional changes related to self-referential processing
Functional brain imaging allows the neural correlates of distinct cognitive processes to be revealed through regional brain activity by asking participants to carry out designed tasks during scanning
Summary
Both psychological therapy and medication are commonly used in the treatment of major depressive episodes, and have been found to be roughly effective [1]. Their modes of action are currently seen as quite distinct [2]. Functional brain imaging allows the neural correlates of distinct cognitive processes to be revealed through regional brain activity by asking participants to carry out designed tasks during scanning Such methods are increasingly used to investigate the neurofunctional markers associated with mental health problems and recovery [3,4]. Brain imaging studies in the general population have localised self-related cognitive processing to areas of the medial pre-frontal cortex
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