Open AccessComputational meta‐analysis of statistical parametric maps in major depression
Author(s) -
Ar Danilo,
Job Dominic,
Selvaraj Sudhakar,
Abe Osamu,
Amico Francesco,
Cheng Yuqi,
Colloby Sean J.,
O'Brien John T.,
Frodl Thomas,
Gotlib Ian H.,
Ham Byung-Joo,
Kim M Justin,
Koolschijn P Cédric MP,
Périco Cintia A.M.,
Salvadore Giacomo,
Thomas Alan J.,
Van Tol MarieJosé,
van der Wee Nic J.A.,
Veltman Dick J.,
Wagner Gerd,
McIntosh Andrew M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.23108
Subject(s) - grey matter , voxel , meta analysis , psychology , voxel based morphometry , statistical parametric mapping , neuroimaging , neuroscience , depression (economics) , white matter , parahippocampal gyrus , audiology , cognitive psychology , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , temporal lobe , pathology , radiology , macroeconomics , economics , epilepsy
Objective Several neuroimaging meta‐analyses have summarized structural brain changes in major depression using coordinate‐based methods. These methods might be biased toward brain regions where significant differences were found in the original studies. In this study, a novel voxel‐based technique is implemented that estimates and meta‐analyses between‐group differences in grey matter from individual MRI studies, which are then applied to the study of major depression. Methods A systematic review and meta‐analysis of voxel‐based morphometry studies were conducted comparing participants with major depression and healthy controls by using statistical parametric maps. Summary effect sizes were computed correcting for multiple comparisons at the voxel level. Publication bias and heterogeneity were also estimated and the excess of heterogeneity was investigated with metaregression analyses. Results Patients with major depression were characterized by diffuse bilateral grey matter loss in ventrolateral and ventromedial frontal systems extending into temporal gyri compared to healthy controls. Grey matter reduction was also detected in the right parahippocampal and fusiform gyri, hippocampus, and bilateral thalamus. Other areas included parietal lobes and cerebellum. There was no evidence of statistically significant publication bias or heterogeneity. Conclusions The novel computational meta‐analytic approach used in this study identified extensive grey matter loss in key brain regions implicated in emotion generation and regulation. Results are not biased toward the findings of the original studies because they include all available imaging data, irrespective of statistically significant regions, resulting in enhanced detection of additional areas of grey matter loss. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1393‐1404, 2016 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.