Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the evaluation of treatment efficacy in unipolar major depressive disorder: a review of the literature.
More and more neuroimaging studies are using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to explore correlates of response to therapy in major depressive disorder (MDD). Their aim is to further understanding of the effects of neurotransmitter changes in areas involved in MDD and the mechanisms underlying a good treatment response. We set out to summarise the literature from the past fifteen years on biochemical correlates of treatment response in MDD patients, reflected in pre- and post-therapy changes in 1H-MRS measurements. Our literature search identified fifteen articles reporting 1H-MRS studies in MDD treatment; no study used 1P-MRS. Despite the wide diversity of 1H-MRS methods applied, brain regions studied, and metabolite changes found, there emerged strong evidence of a correlation between changes in neurometabolite concentrations, in particular glutamate, N-acetylaspartate and choline, and a good treatment response to pharmacotherapy or antidepressant stimulation techniques.
C. Mondino Institute of Neurology Foundation, IRCCS, Pavia, Italy. ecaverzasi@gmail.com
Eduardo
E
Caverzasi
Anna
A
Pichiecchio
Guy Umberto
GU
Poloni
Alessandro
A
Calligaro
Moreno
M
Pasin
Fulvia
F
Palesi
Gloria
G
Castellazzi
Massimo
M
Pasquini
Massimo
M
Biondi
Francesco
F
Barale
Stefano
S
Bastianello
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents