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What is Brodmann Area 25?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Brodmann Area 25 (BA 25) is a section of the brain's cerebral cortex. The region is also called the subgenual cingulate. BA 25 is the site of recent deep brain stimulation (DBS) experimentation studies in treating depression. The name for the area comes from Korbinian Brodmann, a German neurologist who originated the idea of mapping and numbering sections of the brain.

Brodmann's cytoarchitectonic map is a chart used to differentiate between different cellular tissue structures. The cytoarchitecture of the brain is determined by staining the tissue to reveal nerve cells. The different Brodmann areas generally correspond with certain psychological functions. The cytoarchitectonic brain section, Brodmann Area 25, is thought to relate to behavior and emotion.

The Brodmann Area 25 is a section of the brain's cerebral cortex that may respond to deep brain stimulation in treating depression.
The Brodmann Area 25 is a section of the brain's cerebral cortex that may respond to deep brain stimulation in treating depression.

Success with DBS in BA 25 was first shown in treating Parkinson's disease. Some studies in deep brain stimulation (DBS) that involve planting electrodes in Brodmann Area 25, have suggested promising treatments for depression. Patients with major depressive disorder who had treatment-resistant depression showed improvement after DBS in BA 25. In one study that used DBS in Brodmann Area 25, eight out of 12 patients with treatment-resistant depression responded favorably to the treatment. In another similar study, four out of six patients with treatment-resistant depression experienced a remission of their depression.

Research suggests that stimulating Brodmann Area 25 may benefit people who have treatment-resistant depression.
Research suggests that stimulating Brodmann Area 25 may benefit people who have treatment-resistant depression.

It should be noted that in some DBS treatments, a few patients did experience side effects. In one study, 9% of treatment-resistant depressive disorder patients experienced neuropyschiatric side effects that included a relapse in depression and changes in personality. Other risks associated with DBS include damage from slipping electrodes or bleeding in the brain.

Journaling may help an individual cope with depression.
Journaling may help an individual cope with depression.

The part of Brodmann Area 25 stimulated in deep brain stimulation is the white matter. White matter is whitish-colored nerve tissue found in the brain and spinal cord. This area is a relatively thin strip of the brain. Korbinian Brodmann first included BA25 in with Brodmann Area 24 (BA 24) in 1905, but then charted two separate sections, BA 25 and BA 24, in 1909.

Discussion Comments

anon994272

Quite old actually. DBS started from 1987. Although implication of DBS in this particular brain area is not so old. It needs more data from DBS studies as well as from fMRI.

anon100880

How new is the research in this area? Are there any larger studies?

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    • The Brodmann Area 25 is a section of the brain's cerebral cortex that may respond to deep brain stimulation in treating depression.
      By: tab62
      The Brodmann Area 25 is a section of the brain's cerebral cortex that may respond to deep brain stimulation in treating depression.
    • Research suggests that stimulating Brodmann Area 25 may benefit people who have treatment-resistant depression.
      By: ivolodina
      Research suggests that stimulating Brodmann Area 25 may benefit people who have treatment-resistant depression.
    • Journaling may help an individual cope with depression.
      By: sepy
      Journaling may help an individual cope with depression.