Functional Connectivity and Tract Integrity of the Ventral Tegmental Area in Parkinson’s Disease with Depressive Symptoms

Motivation: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is theorized to contribute to the unique pathogenesis of depressive symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) but remains understudied. Goal(s): We aim to characterize the functional and structural connectivity changes in the VTA as they relate to depressive symptoms in PD. Approach: Resting state functional MRI and correlational tractography approaches were used to map the functional connectivity and tract projection changes associated with increased depressive symptoms in 54 patients and 100 controls. Results: The left VTA was found to have functional connectivity changes and tract profiles that correlate with clinical symptoms in manners unique to the PD subgroup. Impact: This study supports the idea of the ventral tegmental area playing a role in and potentially becoming a therapeutic target for the unique pathogenesis of depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease.