The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Depression: Neuroimaging and Microbial Composition Analysis
Poster No:
2087
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
YUE MA1, Fang liang1
Institutions:
1Guang'anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 选择一个州
First Author:
Co-Author:
Introduction:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of pleasure, and other symptoms[1]. Globally, 3%-4% of the population experiences depression, with up to 50% of suicides linked to it, imposing a significant economic burden[2]. Despite genetic and environmental factors contributing to MDD, about one-third of MDD patients show no improvement with antidepressant treatment, indicating the complexity of neurobiological mechanisms. Previous studies suggest the gut microbiota regulates the central nervous system, impacting psychiatric disorders through immune, endocrine, and neural pathways[3-5]. Dysfunction in the gut-brain axis is a pathophysiological aspect of psychiatric disorders. This study aims to explore disrupted gut microbiota in MDD, providing insights into the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" mechanism(Figure 1).
Neuroimaging studies reveal reduced neuronal expression in brain regions in MDD[6-8]. fALFF (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations) is a technique used in resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to measure the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal amplitude in the human brain, reflecting the spontaneous functional activity of the central nervous system. Symptom scores from the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA-14) were used in this study. This study, utilizing fALFF in resting-state functional MRI, observes changes in the gut microbiota in MDD patients, analyzing correlations between bacterial species, clinical scales, and brain regions. The study offers preliminary insights into the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" mechanism of depression, laying the foundation for future systematic exploration.
Neuroimaging studies reveal reduced neuronal expression in brain regions in MDD[6-8]. fALFF (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations) is a technique used in resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to measure the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal amplitude in the human brain, reflecting the spontaneous functional activity of the central nervous system. Symptom scores from the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA-14) were used in this study. This study, utilizing fALFF in resting-state functional MRI, observes changes in the gut microbiota in MDD patients, analyzing correlations between bacterial species, clinical scales, and brain regions. The study offers preliminary insights into the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" mechanism of depression, laying the foundation for future systematic exploration.
Methods:
Thirty-nine healthy controls (HC) and sixty-four MDD subjects participated, collecting mid-stool samples. Samples were stored at -80℃ after processing. Sequencing raw data underwent quality control using fastp software, and DNA content was assessed using the Qubit platform. Imaging used a Magneton Skyra 3.0 T MRI scanner. BOLD imaging parameters included TR/TE=2000/30ms, FOV/slice=224/3.5mm x 32 axial slices, matrix=64x64, and a scan time of 6 min 46 s. T1WI parameters were TR/TE=2530/2.98ms, matrix=64x64, and a scan time of 6 min 3 s. DPARSF5.0 toolkit of Matlab2020a preprocessed BOLD data and calculated fALFF values with covariates. Results were corrected using Gaussian random field correction, with significance set at P< 0.05/0.005, bilateral testing, and clusters >20 voxels. Correlation analysis used Spearman rank correlation, with Bonferroni correction (P<0.0167).
Results:
No differences in demographics between groups (P > 0.05). MDD group showed significantly higher HAMD-17 and HAMA-14 scores than HC (P < 0.05).The composition of the gut microbiota showed significant differences. Brain imaging revealed increased fALFF in the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG_R) (t=3.792, P < 0.005) and decreased fALFF in the left nucleus accumbens (NAcc_L) (t=-3.715, P < 0.005) in MDD. Positive associations were found between Anaerostipes_rhamnosivorans abundance and HAMD-17 (r=0.38, P < 0.01). ITG_R showed a positive correlation with Clostridium_disporicum (r=0.246, P=0.013), while NAcc_L exhibited positive correlations with Holdemanella_biformis and Alistipes_sp (r=0.292, P=0.003; r=0.307, P=0.002). NAcc_L showed a negative correlation with Parabacteroides_sp (r=-0.252, P=0.011).(Figure 2)
Conclusions:
These findings demonstrate that the gut microbiota structure is altered in MDD patients . Differential bacterial species correlate with clinical indicators and exhibit correlations with brain regions associated with emotion, attention, and sensory processing. Therefore, MDD is associated with disrupted gut microbiota, and there is involvement of the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" mechanism in individuals with depressive symptoms. This provides a new perspective for early prevention and treatment.(clinialtrials: ChiCTR2000059591）
Brain Stimulation:
Non-Invasive Stimulation Methods Other
Education, History and Social Aspects of Brain Imaging:
Education, History and Social Aspects of Brain Imaging
Emotion, Motivation and Social Neuroscience:
Emotional Perception 2
Neuroanatomy, Physiology, Metabolism and Neurotransmission:
Anatomy and Functional Systems 1
Keywords:
Affective Disorders
Other - Gut-Brain Axis
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
·Figure 1 |Pathways involved in bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and brain.
·Figure 2 Correlation matrix Note: * indicates that P < 0.0167 is correlated, and the value indicates the r value
Provide references using author date format
2.Carabotti M. The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems. Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):203-209.
3.Collins SM. The interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the brain. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2012;10(11):735-742. doi:10.1038/nrmicro2876
4.Cryan JF. The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Physiol Rev. 2019;99(4):1877-2013.
5.Cryan JF. The gut microbiome in neurological disorders. Lancet Neurol. 2020;19(2):179-194.
6.Roy JC. Connectivity patterns of the core resting-state networks associated with apathy in late-life depression. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2023;48(6):E404-E413. Published 2023 Nov 1.
7.O'Connell S. Predictive modelling of brain disorders with magnetic resonance imaging: A systematic review of modelling practices, transparency, and interpretability in the use of convolutional neural networks . Hum Brain Mapp. 2023;10.1002/hbm.26521.
8.Kelley SW. Elevated emotion network connectivity is associated with fluctuations in depression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023;120(45):e2216499120.