Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Young, K. A. Articles by German, D. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Young, K. A. Articles by German, D. C. Other Neuroanatomy Depression

Elevated Neuron Number in the Limbic Thalamus in Major Depression

OBJECTIVE: The mediodorsal and anteroventral/anteromedial nuclei of the thalamus are brain regions of interest in the study of mood disorders because they connect subcortical limbic system structures such as the amygdala with the prefrontal, cingulate, and temporal cortices. Anatomical abnormalities have been observed both in the amygdala and in the aforementioned cortical regions in affective disorder patients. Neuroanatomical studies of the thalamus have rarely been conducted in patients with mood disorders. METHOD: Postmortem tissue from the Stanley Foundation Brain Bank was obtained from subjects diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia as well as a nonpsychiatric comparison group (N=10–13 per group). The optical disector stereological procedure was used to count neurons in the mediodorsal and anteroventral/anteromedial nuclei of the thalamus in each brain. RESULTS: There were significantly more neurons in the mediodorsal (37%) and anteroventral/anteromedial (26%) nuclei in subjects with major depressive disorder relative to the nonpsychiatric comparison subjects. Neuron numbers and volumes in these limbic thalamic nuclei were normal in the schizophrenia and bipolar subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that there is an elevation in total neuron number in the limbic thalamus that is specific for major depressive disorder. This represents the first report of a neuropsychiatric disorder being associated with an increase in total regional neuron number. The present findings, along with recent data, indicate that significant anatomical and functional abnormalities are present in limbic circuits in major depressive disorder.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. A. Young, W. L. Bonkale, L. A. Holcomb, P. B. Hicks, and D. C. German Major depression, 5HTTLPR genotype, suicide and antidepressant influences on thalamic volume The British Journal of Psychiatry, April 1, 2008; 192(4): 285 - 289. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. S Briellmann, M. J Hopwood, and G. D Jackson Major depression in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis: clinical and imaging correlates J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, November 1, 2007; 78(11): 1226 - 1230. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us