Psychology

Reduced adaptation of glutamatergic stress response is associated with pessimistic expectations in depression

J. A. Cooper, M. R. Nuutinen, et al.

This study, led by a team of researchers including Jessica A. Cooper and Victoria M. Lawlor, reveals fascinating insights into how stress affects glutamate in the human brain, specifically in the medial prefrontal cortex. While healthy individuals show an adaptive response to stress, this response is disrupted in those with major depressive disorder (MDD). Discover how this research uncovers the neurochemical nuances of stress and depression.

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Index

Abstract

Stress is a significant risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD). Preclinically, adaptive and maladaptive stress-induced changes in glutamatergic function have been observed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This study examined stress-induced changes in human mPFC glutamate using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in healthy controls and unmedicated participants with MDD. In healthy controls, the magnitude of mPFC glutamate response to acute stress decreased as perceived stress increased. This adaptive glutamate response was absent in individuals with MDD and associated with pessimistic expectations during follow-up. This work shows evidence for glutamatergic adaptation to stress disrupted in MDD.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

May 26, 2021

Authors

Jessica A. Cooper, Makiah R. Nuutinen, Victoria M. Lawlor, Brittany A. M. DeVries, Elyssa M. Barrick, Shabnam Hossein, Daniel J. Cole, Chelsea V. Leonard, Evan C. Hahn, Andrew P. Teer, Grant S. Shields, George M. Slavich, Dost Ongur, J. Eric Jensen, Fei Du, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Michael T. Treadway

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