Association of depression duration with reduction of global cerebral gray matter volume in female patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The authors investigated the relationship between depression duration and cerebral gray matter volume in female patients with recurrent major depressive disorder.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure intracranial and total brain volumes as well as gray matter and white matter volumes of the cerebrum; frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes; cerebellum; and the lateral and third ventricles in 23 female patients with DSM-IV major depression.


RESULTS
Correlation and regression analyses showed a significant relationship between total illness duration and cerebral gray matter (including cortical lobe) volume after correction for intracranial volume and age.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive states may lead to changes in global cerebral gray matter volume.
Rudolph Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands. I.K.Lampe@azu.nl
Indrag K
IK
Lampe
Hilleke E
HE
Hulshoff Pol
Joost
J
Janssen
Hugo G
HG
Schnack
René S
RS
Kahn
Thea J
TJ
Heeren
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors