title: 31P RINEPT MRSI and VBM reveal alterations in brain aging associated with major depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Phosphomono- and diesters, the major components of the choline peak in (1) H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, are associated with membrane anabolic and catabolic mechanisms. With the refocused insensitive nuclei-enhanced polarization transfer technique, these phospholipids are edited and enhanced in the (31) P MR spectrum. In depressed patients, alterations of the choline peak and cerebral volume have been found, indicating a possible relation. Thus, combining MR phosphorous spectroscopy and volumetry in depressed patients seems to be a promising approach to detect underlying pathomechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Depressed in-patients were either treated with antidepressive medication or with electroconvulsive therapy and compared to matched healthy controls. (31) P magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging was conducted before and after the treatment phases. A 3D MRI dataset for volumetry was acquired in a dedicated (1) H head coil.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine were increased in depressed patients. Though patients responded to the treatments, phospholipids were not significantly altered. An increased age-related gray matter loss in fronto-limbic regions along with an altered relation of phosphomonoesters/phosphodiesters with age were found in depressed patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of increased phosphomonoesthers and an age*group interaction for gray matter volumes need further research to define the role of phospholipids in major depression and possible associations to gray matter loss.
authors.affiliation: Department Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Biedermann
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weber-Fahr
authors.forename: Traute
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demirakca
authors.forename: Nuran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tunc-Skarka
authors.forename: Mareen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoerst
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Henn
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sartorius
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ende
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D010759:Phosphorus Isotopes; D010767:Phosphorylcholine
keywords: electroconvulsive therapy; hippocampus; major depression; phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy; refocused insensitive nuclei-enhanced polarization transfer; voxel based morphometry