Amygdala responsivity related to memory of emotionally neutral stimuli constitutes a trait factor for depression

►Amygdala hyperactivity may constitute a vulnerability factor for major depressive disorder, by playing a role in mnemonic processing of neutral information and not only emotional information ►Amygdala hyperactivity, which in MDD has been repeatedly shown in baseline or rest conditions, interferes with demanding mnemonic tasks that are not affectively laden. Successful episodic memory formation in depression depends on this amygdala contribution. ►During the acute state, depressed patients show an over-recruitment of a cortico-limbic network that is related to both episodic memory and mood. This may play a compensatory role early in the course of MDD and can be related to cognitive aspect of memory in depression.