Localization of dysfunction in major depressive disorder: prefrontal cortex and amygdala.
Despite considerable effort, the localization of dysfunction in major depressive disorder (MDD) remains poorly understood. We present a hypothesis about its localization that builds on recent findings from primate neuropsychology. The hypothesis has four key components: a deficit in the valuation of "self" underlies the core disorder in MDD; the medial frontal cortex represents "self"; interactions between the amygdala and cortical representations update their valuation; and inefficiency in using positive feedback by orbital prefrontal cortex contributes to MDD.
Section on the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4415, USA.
Elisabeth A
EA
Murray
Steven P
SP
Wise
Wayne C
WC
Drevets
D000679:Amygdala / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004532:Ego; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012193:Reversal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept