BackgroundPrevious studies have determined the neurochemical metabolite abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD). The results of studies are inconsistent. Severity of depression may relate to neurochemical metabolic changes. The aim of this study is to investigate neurochemical metabolite levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of patients with mild/moderate MDD.MethodsTwenty-one patients with mild MDD, 18 patients with moderate MDD, and 16 matched control subjects participated in the study. Patients had had their first episode. They had not taken treatment. The severity of depression was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and creatine-containing compounds (Cr) were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) at 1.5 T, with an 8-cm3 single voxel placed in the right PFC.ResultsThe moderate MDD patients had lower NAA/Cr levels than the control group. No differences were found in neurochemical metabolite levels between the mild MDD and control groups. No correlation was found between the patients’ neurochemical metabolite levels and HAM-D scores.ConclusionOur findings suggest that NAA/Cr levels are low in moderate-level MDD in the PFC. Neurochemical metabolite levels did not change in mild depressive disorder. Our results suggest that the severity of depression may affect neuronal function and viability. Studies are needed to confirm this finding, including studies on severely depressive patients.
Objective: In this study it is aimed to compare the theory of mind skills and executive functions in bipolar disorder patients and their first degree relatives with controls, and to demonstrate the relationship between executive functions and theory of mind. Method: 30 patients with euthymic bipolar I disorder, their first degree relatives, and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Wechsler Adults Intelligence Test were applied to all participants; Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, Trail Making Test A and B, and Digit Span Test were applied to evaluate the executive functions; Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Hinting Task and Faux Pas Test were applied to evaluate the theory of mind skills. Results: There was not any significant difference between the groups in terms of theory of mind, although total scores were seen from bad to good in bipolar patients, first degree relatives and controls respectively. Patient group had significantly lower performance in Trail Making Test A, and DigitSpan Test inverse number scores. As the severity of disease increased, cognitive functions and the theory of mind were seen to be worsened. The theory of mind was related to executive functions. Discussion: In conclusion, we did not find significant losses in terms of theory of mind in bipolar patients and their first degree relatives. But bipolar patients had a deficiency in attention, psychomotor speed and verbal working memory; and theory of mind was related to executive functions.
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