Dopamine dysfunction in depression: application of texture analysis to dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography imaging

Abstract

Dopamine dysfunction has been associated with depression. However, results of recent neuroimaging studies on dopamine transporter (DAT), which reflect the function of the dopaminergic system, are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to apply texture analysis, a novel method to extract information about the textural properties of images (e.g., coarseness), to single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging in depression. We performed SPECT using 123I-ioflupane to measure DAT binding in 150 patients with major depressive disorder (N = 112) and bipolar disorder (N = 38). The texture features of DAT binding in subregions of the striatum were calculated. We evaluated the relationship between the texture feature values (coarseness, contrast, and busyness) and severity of depression, and then examined the effects of medication and diagnosis on such relationship. Furthermore, using the data from 40 healthy subjects, we examined the effects of age and sex on the texture feature values. The degree of busyness of the limbic region in the left striatum linked to the severity of depression (p = 0.0025). The post-hoc analysis revealed that this texture feature value was significantly higher in both the severe and non-severe depression groups than in the remission group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.028, respectively). This finding remained consistent after considering the effect of medication. The effects of age and sex in healthy individuals were not evident in this texture feature value. Our findings imply that the application of texture analysis to DAT-SPECT may provide a state-marker of depression.

Indicative biomarkers of Lewy body disease with oral sensory hallucinations in the older people

“…In addition, the results of DaT-SPECT imaging can be affected by depression and treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy and medication in our sample. 9,10 In conclusion, this retrospective case series suggests that OSHs in older individuals, even in the absence of primary PD/DLB symptoms, may be associated with dopamine dysfunction. Abnormal findings on DaT-SPECT and MIBG cardiac scintigraphy imply the possibility of future development of PD/DLB in these individuals.…”

Case report: Recurring and treatment-resistant depression in acquired hepatocerebral degeneration due to a congenital portosystemic shunt

“…Therefore, we contend that our case represents a clinical syndrome resulting from Mn-related neurotoxicity. Substantial evidence shows that a pathophysiological mechanism in Mn-induced neurotoxicity is linked to dopamine dysfunction ( 11 ), which can induce parkinsonism, psychiatric symptoms, and pain ( 12 , 13 ).…”

Unlocking the Potential of High-Quality Dopamine Transporter Pharmacological Data: Advancing Robust Machine Learning-Based QSAR Modeling

“…DAT is responsible for regulating the extracellular dopamine levels in the brain, using the energy stored in the Na + and Cl - gradients to symport dopamine back to the neuron 5, 6 . Disrupting the DAT function can lead to several psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 7, 8 , bipolar disorder 9, 10 , and depression 11 . Many psychostimulants, including cocaine and amphetamine, primarily target DAT.…”