The limbic system as a neuroanatomical link between obesity and depression. Neuroimaging findings

Abstract

It has been described high comorbidity between depression, therefore, it becomes interesting to explore the activity of brain structures common to both conditions through neuroimaging studies. Objectives. First - to identify neuroimaging structures concerning to morbid obesity and mayor depression disorder. Second - to analyze the common structures to both conditions. Methodology. Articles were searched in Pubmed and Science databases with the following keywords: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) obesity, mayor depression disorder, depression and brain activity; with publication dates from 2007 to 2021, no review articles were considered. Obesity has a very high comorbidity with depression. In both pathologies the activation of prefrontal cortex, putamen and insula is altered. These neuroanatomical structures are part of the reward system, so the response to hedonic stimuli is mediated by them and altered in obesity and depression.