Increased Posterior Cingulate, Medial Frontal and Decreased Temporal Regional Homogeneity in Depressed Mothers. A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Study

Abstract Objective To explore the neural pathophysiology of postpartum depression through analyzing fMRI regional homogeneity in postpartum depressed mothers during resting state. Methods 10 depressed mothers and 11 healthy mothers were recruited and underwent functional MRI scanning during resting state. Results Compared with healthy mothers, the depressed mothers showed significantly increased posterior cingulate, medial frontal and decreased temporal gyrus regional homogeneity Conclusions The results suggest that abnormal neural activities existed in depressed mothers and which may play an important role in psychopathology of postpartum depression.