Project Summary

Martin H. Teicher, M.D., Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2001) of McLean Hospital, notes that previous functional imaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET scans) and single photon emission computed tomography (PET scans) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) allow researchers to witness brain functions during depression, but due to radiation exposure, have not been used with children.  Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is safer, but does not provide resting measures of blood flow and therapeutic response.  Dr. Teicher has recently developed a new fMRI procedure called T2-relaxometry which can provide a very comparable index of resting regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV).  This new tool successfully revealed treatment responsive abnormalities in the brains of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.  Dr. Teicher will use T2-relaxometry with depressed adolescents before and after treatment with nefazadone, a newer antidepressant that affects the neurotransmission of serotonin and norepinephrine.  The conventional fMRI technique, BOLD, will also be used to monitor changing regional patterns of brain activation during recollection of neutral, sad and happy memories.  Near-infrared spectroscopy will be used for simultaneous measures of blood flow in the frontal lobes and can record second-to-second brain activity changes.  These measures will provide the first detailed view of the workings of the adolescent brain during depression.  This work will assist in advancing the understanding of the causes and treatments for childhood depression.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)\Child/Adolescent

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