An Effect of Chronic Negative Stress on Hippocampal Structures and Functional Connectivity in Patients with Depressive Disorder [Letter].

This document is a letter written by Norma Safitri, Andi Nilawati Usman, and Andi Ariyandy in response to a research paper by Lili Zhang et al. The research paper explores the effect of chronic negative stress on hippocampal structures and functional connectivity in patients with depressive disorder. The authors of the letter commend the research for providing valuable information on the relationship between hippocampal structure and functional connectivity in depressed patients. They suggest the use of additional tools, such as magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE), to estimate total intracranial volume and differentiate between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. The authors also emphasize the importance of considering the patient's history, including treatment, duration of illness, and drug interventions, to better understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. They recommend routine inpatient MRI scans and the inclusion of patient health control data to enhance our understanding of mental disorders related to chronic negative stress and the long-term treatment of patients with depressive disorder. [Extracted from the article]