Structural covariance network in the striatum is modulated by non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND

Adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) significantly affect the development and well-being of this group. Approximately one-third of these adolescents engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior, which notably increases their risk of suicide. Striatal abnormalities, particularly in the corticostriatal circuit, have been implicated in depression. The striatum is a crucial part of the reward system, and its abnormal connectivity with other brain regions within the system has been linked to repetitive NSSI behavior in adolescents. This study aims to investigate structural covariance (SC) connectivity patterns within the corticostriatal circuitry in adolescents with MDD and explore how NSSI modulates these patterns.

METHODS

This study employed SC analysis to examine T1-weighted structural images from 92 adolescents with MDD and 81 healthy controls (HCs). Using voxel-based morphological analysis to assess gray matter volume, we assessed aberrant SC in the striatum of these patients and explored the influence of NSSI severity on this pattern.

RESULTS

Compared with HCs, adolescents with MDD exhibited increased SC in the corticostriatal circuit. In addition, the NSSI total scores and its sub-dimensions significantly modulated SC in the striatum, medial orbitofrontal cortex, superior frontal gyrus, cingulate cortex, and thalamus. Increased SC was observed within the caudate nucleus and other components of the reward system, whereas a decrease was observed in the globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus.

CONCLUSIONS

The corticostriatal circuit, vital for emotional processing, appears pivotal in the early stages of adolescents with MDD. Our findings underscore the critical effects of NSSI on neurophysiological alterations in these patients.