The Impact of Stress and Major Depressive Disorder on Hippocampal and Medial Prefrontal Cortex Morphology.

ABSTRACT: Volumetric reductions in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) are among the most well-documented neural abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD). Hippocampal and mPFC structural reductions have been specifically tied to MDD illness progression markers, including greater number of major depressive episodes (MDEs), longer illness duration, and nonremission/treatment resistance. Chronic stress plays a critical role in the development of hippocampal and mPFC deficits, with some studies suggesting that these deficits occur irrespective of MDE occurrence. However, preclinical and human research also points to other stress-mediated neurotoxic processes, including enhanced inflammation and neurotransmitter disturbances, which may require the presence of an MDE and contribute

SUBMITTER: Belleau EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6380948 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature