1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of thalamus in treatment resistant depressive patients

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a common clinical problem, and represents a considerable challenge to treatment, however, the pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. Thalamus is generally believed to have a role in the pathophysiology of depression. In this study, we adopted 1.5 T 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to examine possible alterations of thalamus metabolism in 20 adult TRD patients. Our results suggested there might be damage and loss of neurons, as well as membrane phospholipids associated metabolism abnormality in the TRD thalamus.