Using Neuroimaging to Predict Outcome in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Ramasubbu  R, MacQueen G; Using Neuroimaging to Predict Outcome in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. Mind & Brain, the Journal of Psychiatry, August  2010; 1(2):  59-68


REVIEW ARTICLE


Rajamannar Ramasubbu and Glenda MacQueen

Affiliation : Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

ABSTRACT

Variability in treatment response is a major challenge in the treatment of patients with major depression, and there are few reliable predictors of clinical outcomes. Recent advances in brain-imaging technologies offer promise that neural markers might be useful in the prediction of treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that hippocampal and anterior cingulate volumes and brain activity in the subgenual cingulate and amygdala may predict treatment response in depression. There are some obvious limitations to the routine use of imaging as a tool for predicting who will respond to a course of treatment. Nonetheless, it is reasonable to consider whether non-invasive brain-imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography combined with sensitive clinical measures of early treatment changes will someday be routinely applied to guide treatment selection for people with depression.

Keywords: Major Depression, Antidepressants, Predictors of Treatment Response, Brain Imaging, Neural Markers
Correspondence: Dr Rajamannar Ramasubbu, Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Special Services Building, 403-29th Street
N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada. Tel: 403-944-1235; Fax: 403-270-3451; e-mail: rramasub@ucalgary.ca