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Depression, depressive symptoms, and rate of hippocampal atrophy in a longitudinal cohort of older men and women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2015

M. Elbejjani ,
R. Fuhrer ,
M. Abrahamowicz ,
B. Mazoyer ,
F. Crivello ,
C. Tzourio  and
C. Dufouil
M. Elbejjani
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
R. Fuhrer*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
M. Abrahamowicz
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
B. Mazoyer
Affiliation:
CNRS, GIN UMR5296, Bordeaux, France CEA, GIN UMR5296, Bordeaux, France University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
F. Crivello
Affiliation:
CNRS, GIN UMR5296, Bordeaux, France CEA, GIN UMR5296, Bordeaux, France University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
C. Tzourio
Affiliation:
University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France INSERM, Centre INSERM U897 and CIC-1401, Bordeaux School of Public Health, Bordeaux, France
C. Dufouil
Affiliation:
University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France INSERM, Centre INSERM U897 and CIC-1401, Bordeaux School of Public Health, Bordeaux, France
*
*Address for correspondence: R. Fuhrer, Ph.D., Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A2, Canada. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Several studies have reported smaller hippocampal volume (HcV) in depression patients; however, the temporality of the association remains unknown. One proposed hypothesis is that depression may cause HcV loss. This study evaluates whether previous depression and recent depressive symptoms are associated with HcV and HcV loss.

Method

We used a prospective cohort of older adults (n = 1328; age = 65–80 years) with two cerebral magnetic resonance imaging examinations at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Using multivariable linear regression models, we estimated, in stratified analyses by gender, the association between indicators of history of depression and its severity (age at onset, recurrence, hospitalization for depression), proximal depressive symptoms [Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale], baseline antidepressant use, and the outcomes: baseline HcV and annual percentage change in HcV.

Results

At baseline, women with more depressive symptoms had smaller HcV [−0.05 cm3, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.1 to −0.01 cm3 per 10-unit increase in CES-D scores]. History of depression was associated with a 0.2% faster annual HcV loss in women (95% CI 0.01–0.36%). More baseline depressive symptoms and worsening of these symptoms were also associated with accelerated HcV loss in women. No associations were observed in men. Treatment for depression was associated with slower HcV loss in women and men.

Conclusions

While only concomitant depressive symptoms were associated with HcV, both previous depression and more proximal depressive symptoms were associated with faster HcV loss in women.

Keywords

Agingatrophycohort studiesdepressionhippocampusimaging
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 45 , Issue 9 , July 2015 , pp. 1931 - 1944
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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