Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Lenze, E. Articles by Sheline, Y. I. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Lenze, E. Articles by Sheline, Y. I. Neurophysiology Depression MRI

White Matter Hyperintensities and Gray Matter Lesions in Physically Healthy Depressed Subjects

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported that depressed subjects had more white matter hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging scans than control subjects, but the subjects had cerebrovascular disease risk factors. This study used subjects with a history of recurrent major depression and matched comparison subjects, screened to exclude cerebrovascular disease risk factors, to determine whether depressed subjects had more white matter hyperintensities and other lesions. METHOD: A semiautomated volumetric computer program was used to compare numbers and volumes of white matter hyperintensities, basal ganglia lesions, and total lesions in 24 women with a history of recurrent major depression and 24 comparison subjects case-matched on age and education and group-matched on height. In addition, images were measured with the use of a validated categorical scale. All subjects were screened to exclude cerebrovascular disease risk factors. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the total volumes or total numbers of lesions. However, multiple linear regression showed a significant correlation of age and depression with number of lesions; this was accounted for by a greater number of small lesions (diameter0.4 cm). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cerebrovascular disease risk factors most likely mediated the relationship between depression and white matter hyperintensities seen in previous studies. However, the independent effect of depression, as well as an age-by-depression interaction, for small lesions suggests a causal role of depression in certain types of white matter pathology irrespective of other cerebrovascular disease risk factors. The volumetric method used in this study may be more sensitive than other methods in determining lesion characteristics and correlations with clinical variables.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L L Herrmann, M Le Masurier, and K P Ebmeier White matter hyperintensities in late life depression: a systematic review J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, June 1, 2008; 79(6): 619 - 624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Ullman Diabetes and Depression Combo Poses Management Challenge DOC News, June 1, 2007; 4(6): 1 - 21. [Full Text]

				D. V. IOSIFESCU, P. F. RENSHAW, I. K. LYOO, H. K. LEE, R. H. PERLIS, G. I. PAPAKOSTAS, A. A. NIERENBERG, and M. FAVA Brain white-matter hyperintensities and treatment outcome in major depressive disorder The British Journal of Psychiatry, February 1, 2006; 188(2): 180 - 185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-S. Chen, J.-C. Tsai, H.-Y. Tsang, Y.-T. Kuo, H.-F. Lin, I-C. Chiang, and D.P. Devanand Homocysteine Levels, MTHFR C677T Genotype, and MRI Hyperintensities in Late-Onset Major Depressive Disorder Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, October 1, 2005; 13(10): 869 - 875. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. S.C. Minett, J. L. Dean, M. Firbank, P. English, and J. T. O'Brien Subjective Memory Complaints, White-Matter Lesions, Depressive Symptoms, and Cognition in Elderly Patients Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, August 1, 2005; 13(8): 665 - 671. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. A. Cook, A. F. Leuchter, M. L. Morgan, J. J. Dunkin, E. Witte, S. David, L. Mickes, R. O'Hara, S. Simon, R. Lufkin, et al. Longitudinal Progression of Subclinical Structural Brain Disease in Normal Aging Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, April 1, 2004; 12(2): 190 - 200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. D. Taylor, D. C. Steffens, J. R. MacFall, D. R. McQuoid, M. E. Payne, J. M. Provenzale, and K. R. R. Krishnan White Matter Hyperintensity Progression and Late-Life Depression Outcomes Arch Gen Psychiatry, November 1, 2003; 60(11): 1090 - 1096. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Brunswick, J. D. Amsterdam, P. D. Mozley, and A. Newberg Greater Availability of Brain Dopamine Transporters in Major Depression Shown by [99mTc]TRODAT-1 SPECT Imaging Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2003; 160(10): 1836 - 1841. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. D. Miller, E. J. Lenze, M. A. Dew, E. Whyte, E. Weber, A. E. Begley, and C. F. Reynolds III Effect of Cerebrovascular Risk Factors on Depression Treatment Outcome in Later Life Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, October 1, 2002; 10(5): 592 - 598. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. A. Cook, A. F. Leuchter, M. L. Morgan, E. W. Conlee, S. David, R. Lufkin, A. Babaie, J. J. Dunkin, R. O'Hara, S. Simon, et al. Cognitive and Physiologic Correlates of Subclinical Structural Brain Disease in Elderly Healthy Control Subjects Arch Neurol, October 1, 2002; 59(10): 1612 - 1620. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Thomas, J. T. O'Brien, S. Davis, C. Ballard, R. Barber, R. N. Kalaria, and R. H. Perry Ischemic Basis for Deep White Matter Hyperintensities in Major Depression: A Neuropathological Study Arch Gen Psychiatry, September 1, 2002; 59(9): 785 - 792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C. de Groot, F.-E. de Leeuw, M. Oudkerk, A. Hofman, J. Jolles, and M. M. B. Breteler Cerebral White Matter Lesions and Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Adults Arch Gen Psychiatry, November 1, 2000; 57(11): 1071 - 1076. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1999 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us