Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging vascular changes, apolipoprotein E genotype, and development of dementia in the neurocognitive outcomes of depression in the elderly study.
OBJECTIVE
Several studies suggest that depression is a risk factor for development of dementia in the elderly. In a study of older depressed individuals, the authors examined both neuroimaging and genetic factors in development of dementia. The authors hypothesized that change in subcortical gray matter and white matter hyperintensity volumes would be associated with development of dementia, as would presence of an apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 allele.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 161 older depressed subjects without dementia who had magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and at two years. Blood samples were also taken to determine APOE genotype. All participants were treated with antidepressants using a guideline-based treatment algorithm. Their cognitive status was evaluated annually. A consensus panel of experts evaluated each case to determine cognitive status and assign a diagnosis.


RESULTS
Twenty subjects became demented over the follow-up period (5.4 years on average). Change in white matter hyperintensity volume was significantly associated with development of dementia, especially among non-Alzheimer dementias. There was a trend for change in subcortical gray matter hyperintensity volume to be associated with incident dementia. APOE genotype was not associated with onset of dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
Worsening cerebrovascular disease in older depressed adults is associated with cognitive decline and dementia, particularly of the non-Alzheimer disease type. The association of change in white matter lesion volume and incident dementia among depressed elders extends the vascular depression hypothesis of geriatric depression to include cognitive outcomes of depression in the elderly.
Steffens
David C
DC
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. steff001@mc.duke.edu
Potter
Guy G
GG
McQuoid
Douglas R
DR
MacFall
James R
JR
Payne
Martha E
ME
Burke
James R
JR
Plassman
Brenda L
BL
Welsh-Bohmer
Kathleen A
KA
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000473:pathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D032921:Consensus; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015995:Prevalence
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4