Differences in Near-Infrared Light Spectral Characteristics and Cranial MRI Parameters in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Background: This study aimed to evaluate differences in cerebral hemodynamics and regional brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and resting-state functional MRI in patients with major depressive disorder compared with healthy controls. Methods: Sixty patients with major depressive disorder admitted to our hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as the major depressive disorder (MDD) group, and another 60 healthy controls with physical examination in our hospital during the same period were selected as the healthy control group. The subjects were subjected to functional infrared spectroscopy imaging, and the integration values and center of gravity parameters in the frontal area and bilateral temporal areas were compared between the 2 groups of subjects. MRI scans were performed on all subjects to obtain brain perfusion images. Results: The integral values of the prefrontal region and bilateral temporal regions in the MDD group were reduced, and the center of gravity value of the prefrontal region was raised in the MDD group. Regional homogeneity values in the left temporal lobe, frontal lobe, cingulate gyrus, and left pre central gyrus decreased in patients with MDD. Regional homogeneity values increased in the right frontal lobe, anterior cingulate gyrus, right thalamus, and left insular lobe. Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis showed that years of education, forehead score value in functional near-infrared spectroscopy index, ReHo values in the right thalamus and right anterior cingulate gyrus were risk factors for patients with MDD, and ReHo values in the left precentral gyrus, left frontal lobe, and cingulate gyrus were protective factors for patients with MDD (P < .05). Conclusion: Near-infrared light spectroscopy imaging parameters and cranial MRI cerebral blood flow differ in patients with MDD.