Age and Parameters of the Rheoencephalogram in Treatment of Depression

Abstract

The purpose of study is to investigate the influence of age for dynamic of parameters of the rheoencephalogram (REG) in treatment of depression. 130 patients (mean age 46,0±1,2 years) have been studied. According to ICD-10, all of them were diagnosed to have depression (F 31.3-31.4, F 32.0- 32.2, F 33.0-33.2). Depending on age the patients have been divided into two groups: group 1 (age 19 - 49 years, mean age 39,1±1,2 years) - 81 patient and group 2 (age 50 - 85 years, mean age 57,6±1,3 years) - 49 patients. The patients were examined in the morning hours prior the beginning of treatment, following one week, three weeks and upon discharging from the in-patient department. Control group 1 - age 29 - 49 years (mean age 41,0±1,4 years) and control group 2 - age 50 - 71 year (mean age 56,6±1,4 years). The elder patient group distinguished by changes characteristic to atherosclerotic type, and difficulty of venal circulation. REG waves appeared to be rounded, arched, devoid of supplemental catacrotic peaks and notches, with venal waves. Cerebral circulation reduces due to the increased of cerebrovascular resistance. During the treatment REG parameters normalized. There was improvement of circulation as the vascular tonus increased, which manifested in decline of dicrotic wave. Correlation analysis confirmed increase of arterial tonus with aging, in both basins symmetrically: a.carotis (r = 0,181 and r = 0,178) and a.vertebralis (r = 0,186 and r = 0,186). Elderly patients are characterized by venostasis (r = 0,242).