Emotion recognition in chronic treatment-resistant depression : before and after neurosurgical treatment
Abstract
The neuroanatomical structures underlying Major Depressive
Disorder (MDD) are not fully understood. Invasive treatment options
now exist that target the brain structures associated with MDD.
In part one of this study, the effects of MDD on emotion
processing are being measured and discussed. Emotion processing
was examined in patients with chronic, treatment resistant
depression (n = 15) and a healthy control group (n = 38). Emotion
processing abilities were impaired in the MDD group, especially
those of disgust recognition.
In part two, seven of the fifteen MDD patients that had received
an Anterior Cingulotomy (ACING) and eight of the fifteen MDD
patients that had received a Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) as an
intervention for chronic, treatment resistant depression were
presented with the same series of emotional processing tasks given
in part one. Their post surgical performance was compared with their
pre surgical performance. After surgery, the ACING group showed
decreased emotion processing abilities and the VNS group showed
improvements.
Findings suggest that emotional functions assumed to be
associated with certain neural structures that are adversely affected
in patients with MDD may be responsible for some of the clinical
features of MDD.
Type
Thesis, MPhil Master of Philosophy
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