Reduced hippocampal volumes and memory loss in patients with early- and late-onset depression.
BACKGROUND
Hippocampal volume reduction has been reported inconsistently in people with major depression.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the interrelationships between hippocampal volumes, memory and key clinical, vascular and genetic risk factors.


METHODS
Totals of 66 people with depression and 20 control participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and clinical assessment. Measures of depression severity, psychomotor retardation, verbal and visual memory and vascular and specific genetic risk factors were collected.


RESULTS
Reduced hippocampal volumes occurred in older people with depression, those with both early-onset and late-onset disorders and those with the melancholic subtype. Reduced hippocampal volumes were associated with deficits in visual and verbal memory performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Although reduced hippocampal volumes are most pronounced in late-onset depression, older people with early-onset disorders also display volume changes and memory loss. No clear vascular or genetic risk factors explain these findings. Hippocampal volume changes may explain how depression emerges as a risk factor to dementia.
Hickie
Ian
I
Brain & Mind Research Institute, PO Box M160, Missenden Road, NSW Australia. ianh@med.usyd.edu.au.
Naismith
Sharon
S
Ward
Philip B
PB
Turner
Keelin
K
Scott
Elizabeth
E
Mitchell
Philip
P
Wilhelm
Kay
K
Parker
Gordon
G
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D001284:Atrophy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012307:Risk Factors
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)