Exploration of brain imaging biomarkers in subthreshold depression patients across different ages: an ALE meta-analysis based on MRI studies.

Abstract

Background: Structural neuroimaging findings in Subthreshold depression (StD) patients at different ages are highly heterogeneous. This study aims to investigate the pathophysiology of StD across different ages.

Methods: Literature searches for MRI studies of StD were conducted in 11 databases, including PubMed and Embase, from database inception to June 18, 2024. An activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis was performed on the studies across different ages.

Results: A total of 24 studies were included. The results revealed that the significant convergent brain regions in StD patients across different ages were primarily located within the frontostriatal circuit. Age-related differences were observed. For adolescent patients, the significant convergent brain regions were the caudate, putamen, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and medial frontal gyrus (MFG). For young adult patients, the significant convergent brain regions were the inferior frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, insula, putamen, claustrum, and medial globus pallidus. For middle-aged and older patients, the significant convergent brain regions were the ACC, the MFG, and the superior frontal gyrus.

Conclusions: This study revealed that abnormalities in the frontostriatal circuit were neuroimaging features common in StD patients across different ages. Additionally, unique different brain regions were identified between age groups. These findings elucidated the mechanisms of StD and provided a theoretical basis for its prevention and treatment.