Asymptomatic spontaneous cerebral emboli and mood in a cohort of older people: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether asymptomatic spontaneous cerebral emboli (SCE) predicts subsequent depression in older people.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study with 2.5 years of follow-up including 96 nondepressed older subjects in primary care. Presence of SCE was measured at baseline by transcranial Doppler of the middle cerebral artery and modeled on depression at follow-up using multiple logistic and linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
The prevalence of depressive disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria did not differ significantly between SCE-positive and SCE-negative subjects (27% versus 12%), while the severity of depressive symptoms did (Geriatric Depression Scale: beta = 0.22; Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale: beta = 0.25). These differences disappeared after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings suggest that asymptomatic SCE may be an interceding factor in the development of late-life depression, consistent with the vascular depression hypothesis.
Division of Psychiatry, Education and Research Centre, University of Manchester, South Manchester University Hospital, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Richard C
RC
Oude Voshaar
Nitin
N
Purandare
Jayne
J
Hardicre
Charles
C
McCollum
Alistair
A
Burns
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index