Across six population neuroimaging datasets and 23,417 participants, depression was associated with lower grey-matter volume and cortical surface area in frontal, anterior cingulate and insular regions, plus somatomotor and visual network patterns. No consistent subcortical correlates emerged. Cross-dataset evidence strengthens group-level inference but is not an individual diagnostic tool.
Key findings
- Depression correlated with lower grey matter and cortical surface area in frontal, anterior cingulate and insular regions, with somatomotor and visual network associations. No consistent subcortical correlate was identified. The abstract does not report effect sizes for individual interpretation.
Why this matters globally
The study addresses replication problems in psychiatric neuroimaging through multisample population evidence and supports open, harmonized research practices.
Thai researcher contribution
A researcher linked to Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University and Ramathibodi Hospital contributed to a large global mental-health imaging collaboration.
Limitations to consider
Datasets differ in depression definitions, scanners and populations. Observed associations may reflect medication, comorbidity, behaviour or social factors. Group-level effects are likely small and must not be used as diagnostic biomarkers or individual scan interpretations.