The prospects for early detection with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography in major depressive disorder

Qian Xiao; Fangling Li; Furong Jiang; Zhejia Zhang; Bei Xu

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.031

The prospects for early detection with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography in major depressive disorder

J Affect Disord. 2024 Feb 15:347:8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.031. Epub 2023 Nov 18.

Authors

Qian Xiao¹, Fangling Li², Furong Jiang¹, Zhejia Zhang³, Bei Xu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Mental Health Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
² National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Key Clinical Ophthalmology Specialist, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Provincial Branch of the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
³ National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China.
⁴ National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Key Clinical Ophthalmology Specialist, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Hunan Provincial Branch of the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: xu_bei1017@163.com.

PMID: 37984693
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.031

Abstract

Background: Research has shown the diagnostic potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) in various psychiatric disorders. However, there is few research focusing on changes specific to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and the diagnostic value of OCT combined with OCTA parameters for MDD remains unclear.

Methods: In this study, we investigated microvascular and morphology changes in the retina of MDD patients using a combination of OCTA and OCT parameters, and to examine their correlation with MDD mood and cognitive function in order to assess their diagnostic capability.

Results: Our findings revealed a significant decline in macular vessel density (MVD) in the superficial retinal capillary plexus (SRCP) across all subfields, except the NO area. We also observed a significant positive correlation between fovea and Stroop-1, as well as between temporal inner (TI) and Stroop-3 in MDD patients. Furthermore, we identified a negative correlation between fovea and Self-Rating Depression Scale, as well as between Superior outer (SO) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-C in MDD patients.

Limitations: The sample size was small. Anatomical variables in blood flow may contribute to variability between subjects and outcomes.

Conclusions: The diagnostic value of OCTA suggests their potential as valuable tools for monitoring and diagnosing MDD.

Keywords: Diagnostic utility; Major Depressive Disorder; OCT angiography; Optical coherence tomography angiography; Perfusion density.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Depressive Disorder, Major* / diagnostic imaging
Fluorescein Angiography / methods
Humans
Retina
Retinal Vessels* / diagnostic imaging
Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods