抑郁症患者边缘系统异常的MRI和MRS分析

目的探讨抑郁症患者海马及杏仁核容积改变特点及海马的1HMRS表现.方法探讨22例抑郁症患者及13例健康志愿者两侧海马及杏仁核容积及海马的1HMRS表现.结果抑郁症患者及志愿者均显示两侧海马容积不对称(左侧小于右侧);抑郁症患者两侧海马容积比志愿者有明显减小,杏仁核容积明显不对称(右侧小于左侧);抑郁症患者海马容积缩小与病程缺乏相关性.双侧海马NAA/Cr低于对照组,差异有显著性(P＜0.05).结论海马及杏仁核容积异常和神经化学的改变可能构成抑郁症的神经生物学基础,也说明边缘系统在抑郁症的发病机制中起着重要作用.

MRI and MRS of limbic system in patients with major depression

Objective To study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volume of the amygdala and hippocampus and the changes of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with major depression. Methods Quantitative MRI of the amygdala and hippocampus and MRS of the hippocampus were studied in 22 patients with major depression and compared with 13 age-matched controls. Results Both groups exhibited similar significant hippocampal asymmetry (left smaller than right). When compared with the controls, the volume of bilateral hippocampus was significantly smaller in patients' group. The patients had significant asymmetry of the amygdalar volumes (right smaller than left), hippocampal volume abnormalities and the duration of illness had no correlation. MRS revealed reduced NAA/Cr ratio in the patients when compared with that of the controls. Conclusion These findings support the hypothesis that the hippocampus and amygdala within limbic-cortical networks may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of major depression.