The functional neuroanatomy of depression: distinct roles for ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
A primary aim in the neuroscientific study of depression is to identify the brain areas involved in the pathogenesis of symptoms. In this review, we describe evidence from studies employing various experimental approaches in humans (functional imaging, lesion method, and brain stimulation) that converge to implicate the ventromedial and dorsolateral sectors of prefrontal cortex as critical neural substrates for depression, albeit with distinct functional contributions. The putative roles of ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in depression are discussed in light of the results.
Koenigs
Michael
M
Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA. mrkoenigs@wisc.edu
Grafman
Jordan
J
D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation