Amplitude of Low-Frequency Oscillations in First-Episode Drug-Naive Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

OBJECTIVE: To observe characteristics of the amplitudes of low-frequency oscillation (LFO) in first-episode drug-naive patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fractional ALFF (fALFF) were computed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data of 39 first-episode drug-naive patients with MDD and 37 healthy controls. RESULTS: ALFF and fALFF in the left cerebellum were significantly higher in patients with MDD compared to control group, while ALFF in the right rolandic operculum was significantly lower (all p < 0.001, AlphaSim correction). CONCLUSION: Abnormal neurological activity in multiple brain regions in first-episode drug-naive patients with MDD may be involved in the neurobiological mechanisms of MDD and should be considered in future studies.