Optimised fMRI data acquisition to investigate amygdala subregional functional connectivity in depression

Motivation: As specialist MRI radiographers, we have the expertise to develop, optimise and implement up-to-date acquisition protocols for researchers that are 'fit-for-purpose' for specific study endpoints Goal(s): To investigate functional connectivity patterns of the amygdala subregions in depression using a specifically-optimised fMRI research protocol, including road-testing a novel 3D approach for comparison Approach: This cross-sectional rs-fMRI study compared functional connectivity in treatment-resistant and treatment sensitive depression cohorts as well as a healthy control cohort Results: Acquisition of optimised high-resolution fMRI BOLD data together with a subregional analysis approach can more accurately reveal amygdala neurocircuitry alterations between treatment-resistant and treatment-sensitive depression cohorts Impact: To diagnose depression, clinicians currently rely on patients' self-reporting of their symptoms. Objective measures such as alterations in neurocircuitry can help differentiate patients who will respond to first-line pharmaceutical treatments from those for whom other treatments may be more beneficial