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Cortical–Subcortical Interactions in the Pathophysiology of Depression

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Understanding Depression

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Abstract

Depression is not the result of a single brain region or specific neurotransmitter system dysfunction but is a multidimensional disorder affecting functionally integrated cortical–subcortical pathways to regulate emotion. Depression has been proposed to be the result of dysfunctional coordination of cortical–subcortical pathways. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have revealed structural brain abnormalities associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in the limbic system and prefrontal regions, which are primarily involved in emotional processing and regulation. The most robust finding from volumetric MRI studies assessing patients with MDD in comparison with healthy controls is the significant gray matter volume reduction within the prefrontal cortex and limbic areas in patients with MDD. Interactions among the prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum, amygdala, and dorsal raphe nucleus have been implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, CHA University, CHA Bundang Medical Center, Seongnam, South Korea

    Kang Soo Lee & Sang Hyuk Lee

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  1. Kang Soo Lee
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  2. Sang Hyuk Lee
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Correspondence to Sang Hyuk Lee .

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  1. College of Medicine, Korea University, Kyonggi-do, Korea (Republic of)

    Yong-Ku Kim

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Lee, K.S., Lee, S.H. (2018). Cortical–Subcortical Interactions in the Pathophysiology of Depression. In: Kim, YK. (eds) Understanding Depression . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6580-4_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6580-4_13

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