Subcortical structures alterations in Parkinson's disease patients with depression by Vertex-based morphological analysis

Motivation: Subcortical structure is critical to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and depression. Goal(s): shape analysis can precisely localise regional shape deformations in the subcortical gray matter and detect changes that are not found in VBM and volumetric analyses. Approach: This study explored the shape change of subcortical gray matter nuclei in Parkinson's disease patients with depression (PDD). Results: PDD patients have multiple subcortical morphological atrophy, and local expansion areas were also found in several nuclei. The shape change of left nucleus accumbens was negatively correlated with Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) scores, and the shape change of right caudate nucleus was negatively correlated with disease duration. Impact: This study suggested that PDD patients have multiple subcortical morphological atrophy, and local expansion areas were also found in several nuclei. Partial correlation analysis showed that the shape change of left nucleus accumbens was negatively correlated with HAMD scores.