Relationship between progression of brain white matter changes and late-life depression: 3-year results from the LADIS study

• Background Brain white matter changes (WMC) and depressive symptoms are linked, but the directionality of this association remains unclear. Aims To investigate the relationship between baseline and incident depression and progression of white matter changes. Method In a longitudinal multicentre pan-European study (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the elderly, LADIS), participants aged over 64 underwent baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical assessments. Repeat scans were obtained at 3 years. Depressive outcomes were assessed in terms of depressive episodes and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Progression of WMC was measured using the modified Rotterdam Progression scale. Results Progression of WMC was significantly associated with incident depression during year 3 of the study (P = 0.002) and remained significant after controlling for transition to disability, baseline WMC and baseline history of depression. There was no significant association between progression of WMC and GDS score, and no significant relationship between progression of WMC and history of depression at baseline. Conclusions Our results support the vascular depression hypothesis and implicate WMC as causal in the pathogenesis of late-life depression.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

global functional decline

hyperintensity progression

cognitive

decline

elderly-patients

blood-pressure

follow-up

lesions

symptoms

disease

risk

lstein mf

1975

journal of psychiatric research

v12

p189

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)