Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of late-life major depressive disorder.
The primary goal of this study was to examine the biochemical abnormalities of late-life major depression by using 3-tesla (3-T) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS). The antidepressant effects on the biochemical abnormalities were investigated as well. Study participants were 27 elderly patients with major depressive disorders (among which 9 were on antidepressant medication) and 19 comparison elderly subjects. (1)H-MRS spectra were acquired from voxels that were placed in the left frontal white matter, left periventricular white matter, and left basal ganglia. Ratios of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline (Cho) and myo-inositol to creatine were calculated. Patients with late-life major depressive disorder had a significantly lower NAA/creatine ratio in the left frontal white matter, and higher Cho/creatine and myo-inositol/creatine ratios in the left basal ganglia when compared with the control subjects. The myo-inositol correlated with global cognitive function among the patients. The biochemical abnormalities in late-life major depressive disorder were found on the left side of the frontal white matter and the basal ganglia. Neuron degeneration in the frontal white matter and second messenger system dysfunction or glial dysfunction in the basal ganglia are suggested to be associated with late-life depression.
Chen
Cheng-Sheng
CS
Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Chiang
I-Chan
IC
Li
Chun-Wei
CW
Lin
Wei-Chen
WC
Lu
Chia-Ying
CY
Hsieh
Tsyh-Jyi
TJ
Liu
Gin-Chung
GC
Lin
Hsiu-Fen
HF
Kuo
Yu-Ting
YT
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007294:Inositol / Q000378:metabolism*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D015415:Biomarkers; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D007294:Inositol; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline