Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T09:21:47.154Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

White matter microstructural abnormalities in late-life depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Qiong Yang
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
Xuebing Huang
Affiliation:
Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
Nan Hong
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
Xin Yu
Affiliation:
Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the location and the degree of white matter damage in late-life depression using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Methods: Thirty-one patients with late-life depression and 15 healthy volunteers matched for age, gender and years of education received conventional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and MR-diffusion tensor scanning. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of white matter were measured respectively in frontal and temporal regions and the corpus callosum.

Results: FA values were significantly decreased in the frontal (superior and middle frontal gyrus), and temporal (right parahippocampal gyrus) regions of elderly patients with depression compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion: Microstructural changes in the frontal (superior and middle frontal gyrus) and temporal (right parahippocampal gyrus) areas are associated with late-life depression.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
International Psychogeriatric Association 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)