Related resources
Search for item elsewhere
University researcher(s)
Academic department(s)
Regional cerebral volume measurements in late-life depression: relationship to clinical correlates, neuropsychological impairment and response to treatment.
Simpson S, Baldwin RC, Burns AS, Jackson A
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2001;16( 5):469-76.
Access to files
Full-text and supplementary files are not available from Manchester eScholar. Use our list of Related resources to find this item elsewhere. Alternatively, request a copy from the Library's Document supply service.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Elderly people who develop depression have demonstrable changes in cerebral structure but little is known of the relationship between regional cerebral volumes, treatment response and cognitive impairment. METHOD: Forty-four patients with major depression diagnosed according to DSM-IIIR criteria underwent magnetic resonance imaging and regional cerebral volumes were quantified using multispectral analysis. Response to antidepressant treatment was assessed prospectively and a neuropsychological test battery was administered. RESULTS: There was a trend for smaller fronto-temporal volumes in the treatment-resistant patients. Impaired immediate working memory was linked with reduced frontal and parietal lobe volume and impaired short-term memory functioning was associated with reduced temporal lobe volume. Ventricular enlargement was associated with prior administration of electro-convulsive therapy, poor physical health and later age at onset of first episode of depression. CONCLUSION: In late-life depression, brain changes should not preclude vigorous antidepressant treatment. Regional cerebral volume changes may be a complication of poor physical health and are associated with memory dysfunction even upon recovery from depression. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Keyword(s)
Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Atrophy; Comparative Study; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Severity of Illness Index; pathology: Brain; pathology: Cerebral Ventricles; pathology: Cognition Disorders; pathology: Depressive Disorder, Major; pathology: Frontal Lobe; pathology: Memory Disorders; pathology: Parietal Lobe; pathology: Temporal Lobe