Gross anatomical features of the insular cortex in affective disorders

Tsutomu Takahashi*, Daiki Sasabayashi, Murat Yücel, Sarah Whittle, Michio Suzuki, Christos Pantelis, Gin S. Malhi, Nicholas B. Allen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: The number of insular gyri is elevated in patients with schizophrenia. Thus, it has potential as a marker of early neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, currently it remains unclear whether patients with other neuropsychiatric disorders, such as affective disorders, also have this gross brain anatomical feature. Materials and methods: The macroscopic features of the insular cortex in 26 patients with bipolar disorder (BD), 56 with major depressive disorder (MDD), and control subjects for each clinical group (24 for BD and 33 for MDD) were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The number of short insular gyri was higher in BD patients than in matched controls bilaterally with well-developed accessory and middle short gyri. Furthermore, the left middle short gyrus was more developed in MDD patients than in matched controls, and was weakly associated with the severity of depressive symptoms. Discussion: The present results indicate that changes in the gross morphology of the insular cortex in BD and MDD is a potential vulnerability factor associated with their neurodevelopmental pathologies, and may also contribute to the severity of symptoms in MDD.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1482990
JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry
Volume15
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • bipolar disorder
  • insular cortex
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • major depressive disorder
  • neurodevelopment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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