Corpus callosal morphology in early onset adolescent depression.

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in the corpus callosum and related white matter projections have been implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD). Although MDD is as common in adolescence as in adulthood, few studies have examined youth near illness onset in order to determine the possible influence of atypical development on the pathophysiology of this disorder.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The area of the corpus callosum and its sub-regions were measured in 16 subjects affected by MDD (16.24 ± 2.03 years) and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (16.52 ± 2.20 years) using magnetic resonance imagine (MRI).

RESULTS

Mann-Whitney U-tests revealed a difference in corpus callosal areas (u=75.00, p=0.047). Corpus callosal area was smaller in MDD participants (5.92 ± 0.50 cm(2)) as compared to age and sex matched controls (6.44 ± 0.75 cm(2)). This difference was isolated to the genu (U=62.00, p=0.012; 2.53 ± 0.34 cm(2) for controls and 2.24 ± 0.20 cm(2) for MDD participants), with no other sub-region demonstrating a significant difference. There was no difference in intracranial area between groups. No structure correlated with clinical or demographic variables.

LIMITATIONS: Confirmation and extension of our findings requires a larger sample size and usage of diffusion tensor imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

While preliminary, our findings provide new evidence of abnormalities in the genu of the corpus callosum in early onset depression.