Cerebral volume measurements and subcortical white matter lesions and short-term treatment response in late life depression.
BACKGROUND
Late life depression is associated with volumetric reductions of gray matter and increased prevalence of subcortical white matter lesions. Previous studies have shown a poorer treatment outcome in those with more severe structural brain abnormalities. In this study, quantitative and semi-quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures were studied in relation to response to a 12-week controlled antidepressant monotherapy trial.


METHODS
MRI (1.5 T) brain scans of 42 elderly inpatients with major depression, of which 23 were non-responder to a controlled 12-week antidepressant monotherapy trial, were acquired. In addition, clinical outcome was assessed after a one year period. Measures were volumes of global cerebral and subcortical structures.


RESULTS
After controlling for confounding, no differences were found between non-responders and responders after 12 weeks and after one year in volumes of cerebral gray and white matter, orbitofrontal cortex, hippocampus and white matter lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Structural brain measures associated with late life depression may not be related to short-term treatment response.
Janssen
Joost
J
Department of Psychiatry, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.janssen@umcutrecht.nl
Hulshoff Pol
Hilleke E
HE
Schnack
Hugo G
HG
Kok
Rob M
RM
Lampe
Indrag K
IK
de Leeuw
Frank-Erik
FE
Kahn
Rene S
RS
Heeren
Thea J
TJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D049292:Leukoaraiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D009661:Nortriptyline