Brain structural and functional alterations in MDD patient with gastrointestinal symptoms: A resting-state MRI study.

Abstract Objective It is common for major depressive disorder (MDD) to be accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, which are known to negatively impact the course and severity of the disease. Although previous studies have attempted to explore the neuropathology of MDD, few studies have focused on the pathogenesis of GI symptoms in MDD. In this study, we investigated the changes in regional gray matter volume (GMV) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) present in MDD accompanied by GI symptoms. Method The following images were obtained and analyzed: Structural and functional magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 36 patients with MDD accompanied by GI symptoms (GI symptoms group), 22 patients without GI symptoms (Non-GI symptoms group), and 27 healthy controls (HC. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was administered. A correlation analysis was used to identify the possible associations between altered regional GMV, ReHo symptoms, GI symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Results The total scores from the HAMD-24 in the GI symptoms group were significantly higher than in the Non-GI symptoms group (P 0.05). Conclusion Patients with MDD accompanied by GI symptoms have more severe depressive symptoms. The structural and functional changes of the brain may be the pathogenesis for the GI symptoms in patients with MDD.