Clinical evaluation of brain structural changes in patients with alcohol dependence complicated by major depressive disorder using functional magnetic resonance imaging

Zhijun JIA; Lei MENG; Baoxiang MA

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate changes in brain structure and function in patients with alcohol dependence (AD) complicated by major depressive disorder (MDD), and assessing the clinical significance of fMRI in diagnosing alcohol dependence complicated by MDD.

Methods:

From August 2019 to October 2022, 90 patients with AD complicated by MDD and 90 healthy subjects who concurrently received physical examination in our hospital were included in the study. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fMRI to observe the brain tissue structure of patients with AD complicated by MDD and to assess differences in N-acetylaspartic acid/creatine (NAA/Cr) and factional anisotropy (FA) values across different brain tissue regions.

Results:

The widths of the left and right ventricular temporal angles in the AD complicated by MDD group [(2.67 ± 0.24) mm, (2.63 ± 0.25) mm] were significantly higher than those observed in the healthy control group [(2.29 ± 0.21) mm, (2.31 ± 0.23) mm, t = 22.48, 20.64, both P < 0.001]. Additionally, the volumes of the left and right hippocampus and nucleus accumbens in the AD complicated by MDD group [(2 673.46 ± 155.74) mm 3, (2 692.29 ± 154.61) mm 3, (682.04 ± 65.37) mm 3, (729.65 ± 68.49) mm 3] were significantly lower compared with those in the healthy control group [(2 826.53 ± 158.95) mm 3, (2 849.17 ± 157.23) mm 3, (766.28 ± 69.51) mm 3, and (805.43 ± 71.36) mm 3, t = -9.53, -8.44, -15.62, -13.92, all P < 0.001]. Moreover, the NAA/Cr values in the left and right frontal lobes, temporal lobes, hippocampi, and nucleus accumbens in the AD complicated by MDD group were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group ( t = -11.36, -7.19, -9.96, -7.84, -14.59, -8.25, -7.64, -6.84, all P < 0.001). Similarly, the FA values of the left and right frontal lobes, temporal lobes, hippocampi, and right nucleus accumbens in the AD complicated by MDD group were significantly lower compared with those in the healthy control group ( t = -9.48, -11.74, -9.22, -10.36, -16.85, -14.67, -5.28, all P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Patients with AD accompanied by MDD exhibit alterations in brain tissue structure, neuronal metabolic function, and the integrity of white matter nerve fibers. fMRI is effective in identifying changes in brain neuron metabolism and the integrity of white matter nerve fibers, making it invaluable for the diagnosis and assessment of AD accompanied by MDD.