The Relationship Between Family History of Depression and Brain Structure and Function: A Systematic Review of Large Cohorts.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review identified existing longitudinal cohorts suitable for studying associations between family history of major depression and brain imaging outcomes. A structured PubMed search found 25 cohorts across 13 countries, each with at least 1,000 participants, family-history and psychiatric measures, and at least one MRI collection. Across published studies, familial risk was most often associated with alterations in subcortical regions, particularly the striatum and amygdala, and cortical regions including the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortex. Evidence that these brain differences predict later psychopathology remains limited.

Key findings

• The review identified 25 eligible longitudinal cohorts in 13 countries, each with ≥1000 participants and at least one MRI collection.
• Reported associations with familial risk most frequently involved the striatum, amygdala, anterior cingulate, and prefrontal cortex.
• Evidence that the identified brain regions predict subsequent psychopathology was limited.

Why it matters

Studying symptom-free people with familial risk may help distinguish brain features associated with susceptibility from changes related to having depression. The review also points to existing large cohorts as a resource for investigating these questions over time, while underscoring that the clinical significance of reported imaging associations is not yet established.

What to keep in mind

The review reports that evidence linking the identified brain regions to later psychopathology is limited; long-term implications remain unclear.