Recent Developments in Neuroimaging in Mood Disorders

Book excerpt: Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, are a global public health problem because of their high prevalence, chronicity, and recurrence throughout the lifespan as well as increased risk of mortality. These disorders are often associated with anatomical and functional brain alterations. In the last few decades, brain imaging research has made it possible to investigate these alternations in patients with neuropsychiatric illnesses. In particular, novel neuroimaging methods (e.g., structural/functional magnetic resonance imaging), have allowed researchers to further understand both anatomical and functional deficits in patients with mood disorders.