Anatomical MRI study of subgenual prefrontal cortex in bipolar and unipolar subjects

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Nov;27(5):792-9. doi: 10.1016/S0893-133X(02)00352-4.

Abstract

This study attempted to replicate previous findings of decreased gray matter content in the subgenual prefrontal cortex (SGPFC) in mood disorder patients. Eighteen DSM-IV unipolar patients, 27 DSM-IV bipolar patients, and 38 healthy controls were studied. A 1.5T GE Signa Imaging System with Signa 5.4.3 software was used. The semi-automated software MedX (Sensor Systems, Sterling, VA) was utilized for the anatomical measures of SGPFC volumes. There were no significant differences in SGPFC volumes in familial and non-familial unipolar and bipolar patients compared with healthy controls, nor between drug-free and lithium-treated bipolar patients (ANOVA, p >.05). In vivo abnormalities in the volumes of SGPFC were not identified in mildly depressed or euthymic unipolar or bipolar mood disorder outpatients, either familial or non-familial.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Bipolar Disorder / pathology*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Depressive Disorder / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patients / statistics & numerical data
  • Prefrontal Cortex / abnormalities
  • Prefrontal Cortex / anatomy & histology
  • Prefrontal Cortex / pathology*
  • Statistics, Nonparametric