Neuroanatomical substrates of depression in the elderly

The etiology of depression in the elderly is poorly understood. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the role of subcortical structures in the pathophysiology of depression in the elderly. Elderly depressed patients were found to have smaller caudate nuclei, smaller putamin...

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Published in:European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience 1993-07, Vol.243 (1), p.41-46
Main Authors: KRISHNAN, K. R. K, MCDONALD, W. M, DORAISWAMY, P. M, TUPLER, L. A, HUSAIN, M, BOYKO, O. B, FIGIEL, G. S, ELLINWOOD, E. H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Aged
Basal Ganglia - diagnostic imaging
Basal Ganglia - pathology
Basal Ganglia - physiopathology
Basal Ganglia Diseases - diagnostic imaging
Basal Ganglia Diseases - pathology
Basal Ganglia Diseases - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - pathology
Depressive Disorder - physiopathology
Female
Geriatrics
Humans
Hypertension - diagnosis
Hypertension - physiopathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medical sciences
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Radiography
Risk Factors
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Summary:The etiology of depression in the elderly is poorly understood. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the role of subcortical structures in the pathophysiology of depression in the elderly. Elderly depressed patients were found to have smaller caudate nuclei, smaller putaminal complexes and in increased frequency of subcortical hyperintensities compared with normal, healthy controls. These findings were more pronounced in patients with late-onset depression. Based on these findings, the authors discuss the role of the basal ganglia in the pathophysiology of depression in the elderly.
ISSN:0940-1334
1433-8491
DOI:10.1007/BF02191522