Effect of NEUROG3 polymorphism rs144643855 on regional spontaneous brain activity in major depressive disorder

Purpose: Our previous study identified a significant association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the neurogenin3 (NEUROG3) gene and post-stroke depression (PSD) in Chinese populations. The present work explores whether polymorphism rs144643855 affects regional brain activity and clinical phenotypes in major depressive disorder (MDD). Method: A total of 182 participants were included: 116 MDD patients and 66 normal controls. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning at baseline. Spontaneous brain activity was assessed using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF). The Hamilton Depression Scale24 (HAMD-24) and Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) were used to assess participants at baseline. Twoway analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to explore the interaction between diagnostic groups and NEUROG3 rs144643855 on regional brain activity. We performed correlation analysis to further test the association between these interactive brain regions and clinical manifestations of MDD. Results: Genotype and disease significantly interacted in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG-L), right superior frontal gyrus (SFG-R), and left paracentral lobule (PCL-L) (P < 0.05). ALFF values of the IFG-L were found to be significantly associated with anhedonia in MDD patients. Conclusion: These findings suggest a potential relationship between rs144643855 variations and altered frontal brain activity in MDD. NEUROG3 may play an important role in the neuropathophysiology of MDD.

Automated summary

The study found a potential relationship between the rs144643855 variation in the NEUROG3 gene and altered frontal brain activity in MDD patients. Specific brain regions were significantly associated with clinical manifestations, suggesting a possible role for NEUROG3 in the neuropathophysiology of MDD.